Effects of Propofol, Dexmedetomidine, or Ketofol on Respiratory and Hemodynamic Profiles in Cardiac Patients Undergoing Transesophageal Echocardiography: A Prospective Randomized Study

J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Sep;35(9):2743-2750. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.11.013. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Abstract

Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate sedation characteristics, as well as cardiorespiratory effects, of propofol, dexmedetomidine, and ketofol used for conscious sedation during transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Design: Prospective double-blind randomized study.

Settings: Tanta University hospitals.

Participants: Seventy-five participants with left-to-right shunt requiring diagnostic TEE interventions. Patients were randomized into three groups-P, Dex, and K-to receive propofol, dexmedetomidine, or ketofol, respectively.

Measurements and main results: Time to reach targeted sedation level, duration of the procedure, recovery time, hemodynamic parameters, incidence of oxygen desaturation <90%, as well as the cardiologist's satisfaction were recorded. The time onset and offset of sedation, duration of TEE procedure, and the need for rescue propofol were significantly less in the P and K groups compared with group Dex (p value 0.000*, 0.003*, 0.000*, and 0.000* and effect size 0.39, 0.15, 0.21, and 0.34, respectively). Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output significantly decreased in groups P and Dex compared with either baseline or group K. Hypoxic events were more manifest in group P; whereas group K had better cardiologist's satisfaction than the other two groups.

Conclusions: In the TEE settings, the three agents were capable of attaining the targeted sedation levels , with propofol and ketofol having a faster onset and recovery times compared with dexmedetomidine. Even though dexmedetomidine and ketofol provided a more stable respiratory profile than propofol, ketofol was favorable in providing fewer hemodynamic alterations with better satisfaction scores than both propofol and dexmedetomidine.

Keywords: cardiac output; conscious sedation; dexmedetomidine; echocardiography, transesophageal; hemodynamics; propofol.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Conscious Sedation
  • Dexmedetomidine* / pharmacology
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / pharmacology
  • Propofol* / pharmacology
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Propofol