• M Zippi, G Traversa, I De Felici, I Febbraro, E Mattei, B Pietranico, C Sergio, M G Sgarro, and G Occhigrosssi.
• Unità di Gastroenterologia ed Endoscopia Digestiva, Ospedale Sandro Pertini, Roma, Italia.
• Clin Ter. 2008 Jan 1;159(1):19-22.

AimAdequate sedation is fundamental for the execution of the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Propofol is widely used for gastrointestinal endoscopy because of its rapid recovery profile. The aim of this study was to determine, retrospectively, whether the administration of propofol was safe in patients undergoing ERCP, both diagnostic and therapeutic.Materials And MethodsIn our GI Unit, from 1st February 2006 to 23 November 2006, we performed 100 ERCP. All the patients were sedated by using midazolam e.v., as pre-anaesthetic agent, and propofol e.v. During the procedure, vital signs were continuously monitored (oxygen saturation, blood pressure, heart rate). Patients were also divided into two groups: less than 80 years of age (group I) and 80 years of age and older (group II). Cardiorespiratory complications were recorded.ResultsPatients were 51 females and 49 males, with a median age of 74 years (range: 23-94 years). Group I was composed by 72 patients (35 F, 37 M) and Group II by 28 patients (16 F, 12 M). There were no episodes of hemodynamic instability or airway obstruction. New ECG changes (1 ischemia, 3 arrhythmias) and 1 significant oxygen desaturation episode (SpO2<90%) occurred in 5% of procedures. If we considered the two groups, the rates of cardiopulmonary complications were 4.1% and 7.1%, respectively in group I and in group II.ConclusionsPropofol seems to be safe and effective sedation for ERCP, with a low complication rate, also in patients aged 80 years or older.

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