Comparison of propofol-esketamine versus propofol for anesthesia in gastroscopy: a double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

Effect of Esketamine on Cognitive Recovery After Propofol Sedation for Outpatient Colonoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose

While esketamine shows promise as an adjunct in procedural sedation, its impact on postoperative cognitive recovery remains incompletely characterized. This study investigated the effects of esketamine on multiple dimensions of recovery, particularly cognition, in patients undergoing colonoscopy with propofol-based sedation.

Patients and Methods

We conducted this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial from January 6, 2023, to May 20, 2024, at two hospitals in China. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either esketamine 0.2 mg/kg (n = 126) or placebo (n = 126), followed by propofol 1 mg/kg. We administered additional propofol boluses (0.5 mg/kg) to maintain sedation. The study assessed cognitive recovery on postoperative day 3 as the primary outcome, measured by the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale (PostopQRS). Secondary outcomes included overall recovery, recovery in other PostopQRS domains, time to discharge, and adverse events.

Results

Esketamine significantly enhanced cognitive recovery compared to placebo on postoperative day 3 (95.2% vs 83.3%, relative risk = 1.14; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.25, P = 0.002). Discharge times were comparable between groups (odds ratio = 0.70; 95% confidence interval: 0.43-1.16, P = 0.163). The esketamine group demonstrated higher satisfaction (P = 0.003) and significantly reduced incidences of hypotension (14.3% vs 36.5%, P < 0.001), bradycardia (5.6% vs 15.1%, P = 0.013), hypoxemia (2.4% vs 8.7%, P = 0.028), and injection site pain (21.4% vs 48.4%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Adding esketamine 0.2 mg/kg to propofol for colonoscopy sedation improved postoperative cognitive recovery, enhanced patient satisfaction, and reduced cardiopulmonary adverse events without prolonging discharge time. These findings establish low-dose esketamine as a beneficial adjunct to propofol in procedural sedation for colonoscopy.

Comparative Analysis of Hemodynamic Effects of Remimazolam and Propofol Combined with Esketamine in Colonoscopic Procedures in the Elderly

Purpose

The debate continues over the differential impact of remimazolam vs propofol on hemodynamic stability. This study aims to elucidate the effects of a combination of remimazolam and esketamine vs propofol and esketamine on hemodynamic parameters in elderly patients undergoing painless colonoscopies.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 754 patients, divided equally between two treatment groups. The remimazolam-esketamine group (RE group) received 0.15 mg/kg of remimazolam and 0.3 mg/kg of esketamine. Conversely, the propofol-esketamine group (PE group) was administered 1.5 mg/kg of propofol with 0.3 mg/kg of esketamine. Primary outcomes focused on the incidence of hypotension. Secondary outcomes assessed were other hemodynamic adverse events, intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate fluctuations, usage of vasoactive agents, sedation efficacy, and additional adverse reactions.

Results

Hypotension occurred significantly less frequently in the RE group (9.78%, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 6.67-12.87%) compared to the PE group (23.57%, 95% CI: 21.22-30.52%), P<0.001. The RE group also showed lower incidences of sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, and required less support from vasoactive agents (P<0.001). Additionally, the RE group experienced smaller fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate (P<0.05). Both groups achieved a 100% sedation success rate. Notably, the RE group had a longer induction period but a quicker recovery time (P<0.001), and lower rates of respiratory depression (P=0.006) and injection pain (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Remimazolam combined with esketamine offers superior hemodynamic stability and significantly reduces adverse event rates compared to propofol plus esketamine in elderly patients undergoing painless colonoscopies, while maintaining effective sedation.

Effect of esketamine on hypotension in women with preoperative anxiety undergoing elective cesarean section: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

To investigate the effect of low-doses esketamine on spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension in women with preoperative anxiety undergoing elective cesarean section, the randomized controlled trial enrolled 120 women aged 18-35 years who preoperative State-Trait Anxiety Inventory State scores > 40, conducted from September 2022 to August 2023 in Xuzhou Central Hospital, China. Women in the esketamine group received a single intravenous injection of 0.2 mg/kg esketamine after sensory block level achieved. The incidence of hypotension in the esketamine group was significantly lower than the control group at T2 (10% [6 of 60]; P < 0.001), T3 (5.0% [3 of 60]; P = 0.007) and T4(5.0% [3 of 60]; P = 0.004). Despite being higher in the esketamine group, the overall rates of hypertension (11.7% [7 of 60]; P = 0.186), tachycardia (23.3% [14 of 60]; P = 0.246), and bradycardia (0.0% [0 of 60]; P = 0.079) were no significantly difference between the two groups. STAI-S scores was significantly lower in the esketamine group (mean [SD] 37.52[7.14]) than in the control group (mean [SD] 41.03[9.66], P = 0.39) in postoperative day 1. Spinal anesthesia combined with intravenous low-doses esketamine infusion can significantly reduce the incidence of hypotension in women with preoperative anxiety undergoing elective cesarean section.

Intravenous esketamine as an adjuvant for sedation/analgesia outside the operating room: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous esketamine as an adjuvant for sedation or analgesia outside the operating room in adults and children.

Method

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for potential randomized controlled studies randomized controlled trials comparing drug combinations of esketamine to any other single or combination drug regimens for sedation or analgesia outside the operating room.

Results

Twenty-five studies with a total of 3,455 participants were included in this review. The pooled results of adults showed that compared with drug regimens of the control group, intravenous esketamine combinations were significantly associated with decreased risk of oxygen desaturation (RR = 0.49, 95% CI = [0.34, 0.70]); hypotension (RR = 0.38, 95% CI = [0.31, 0.46]); bradycardia (RR = 0.23, 95% CI = [0.12, 0.43]); injection pain (RR = 0.37, 95% CI = [0.25, 0.53]); body movement (RR = 0.60, 95% CI = [0.41, 0.88]); and propofol consumption (SMD = -1.38, 95% CI = [-2.64, -0.11]), but an increased risk of psychiatric symptoms (RR = 3.10, 95% CI = [2.11, 4.54]) (RR = relative risk; CI = confidence intervals; SMD = standardized mean difference). Subgroup analysis showed that only the combination of esketamine and propofol significantly reduced the above incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular adverse events in adults. In addition, the pooled results of children showed that compared with drug regimens of the control group, esketamine and propofol co-administration significantly reduced the risk of hypotension (RR = 0.59, 95% CI = [0.37, 0.95]) but increased the risk of visual disturbance (RR = 6.62, 95% CI = [2.18, 20.13]) and dizziness (RR = 1.99, 95% CI = [1.17, 3,37]). Subgroup analysis indicated that esketamine>0.5 mg/kg significantly reduced the incidence of hypotension, but increased the risk of dizziness in children.

Conclusion

Intravenous use of esketamine, particularly in combination with propofol, may improve the safety and efficacy of sedation and analgesia outside the operating room, although the potential for psychiatric side effects warrants attention. Future research is recommended to investigate the role of esketamine with agents other than propofol.

Efficacy and safety of esketamine for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Objective

The role of esketamine in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esketamine for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods

Clinical trials of esketamine for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy were searched in eight common databases, up to October 2023. These clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). The risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were used as the effect sizes for dichotomous variables and continuity variables, respectively. When the heterogeneity test showed I2 < 50%, the fixed effects model was used for the meta-analysis and TSA; Otherwise, the random effects model was used for them.

Results

In terms of efficacy endpoints, the meta-analysis showed that compared with placebo or blank, esketamine significantly decreased recovery time by 2.34 min (WMD -2.34; 95% Confidence interval [CI] -3.65, -1.02; p = 0.0005) and propofol consumption by 0.70 mg/kg (WMD -0.70; 95% CI -0.98, -0.43; p < 0.00001), and increased mean heart rate by 4.77 beats/min (WMD 4.77; 95% CI 2.67, 6.87; p < 0.00001) and mean arterial pressure by 3.10 mmHg (WMD 3.10; 95% CI 1.52, 4.67; p = 0.0001), while induction time and mean blood oxygen remained comparable. TSA indicated conclusive evidence for these benefits. In terms of safety endpoints, the meta-analysis revealed that esketamine significantly reduced involuntary movements by 59% (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.22, 0.76; p = 0.005) and choking by 51% (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.26, 0.92; p = 0.03), while significantly increasing dizziness by 98% (RR 1.98; 95% CI 1.11, 3.56; p = 0.02) and there were no significant differences in total adverse events, respiratory depression, and vomiting. TSA demonstrated conclusive evidence for involuntary movements and dizziness. Low-dose analysis showed that esketamine at ≤0.3 mg/kg significantly reduced recovery time, propofol consumption and involuntary movements, and significantly increasing mean heart rate, with no increase in dizziness. The Begg's test (p = 0.327) and the Egger's test (p = 0.413) indicated no significant publication bias, yet the funnel plot suggested potential publication bias.

Conclusion

Esketamine is an effective adjuvant anesthesia for children undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, the general dose of esketamine may increase the risk of dizziness, which can be avoided by administering a low dose (≤0.3 mg/kg).

Efficacy and safety of esketamine combined with propofol for curative endoscopic resection in colorectum: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Curative endoscopic resection is widely used to treat colonic polyps and early stage cancers. The anesthetic strategy commonly involves the use of propofol combined with a small dose of opioids for sedation. Adverse respiratory or cardiovascular events such as hypotension often occur when attempting to achieve the necessary level of sedation. Several studies have suggested its advantages owing to the anesthetic, analgesic, and sympathomimetic properties of esketamine. However, there are no reports on curative colorectal endoscopic resection. We designed this randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of esketamine combined with propofol for sedation in patients undergoing curative colorectal endoscopic resection.

METHODS

A total of 166 patients who underwent curative colorectal endoscopic resection were randomly assigned to groups A (propofol + fentanyl) or E (propofol + esketamine). Ideal sedation was assessed using the MOAA/S scale and was achieved using TCI-propofol with different doses of fentanyl and esketamine. The propofol consumption and vasoactive drug dosages were recorded. Sedation-related times, adverse events, and satisfaction were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 160 patients, the total propofol consumption was significantly lower in group E (n = 81) (300 mg) than in group A (n = 79) (350 mg). Hypotension and bradycardia were significantly lower in Group E than in Group A. The groups showed no significant differences in other adverse events, induction time, recovery time, or patient or endoscopist satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

Compared to fentanyl, esketamine helps decrease propofol consumption and increases cardiovascular stability during curative colorectal endoscopic resection in American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I-III patients without affecting anesthesia, patient and endoscopist satisfaction, or other adverse events.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was retrospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ; registration number: ChiCTR2300069014 on 03/03/2023).

The effects of esketamine on blood pressure and hypotension incidence during induction of bariatric surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of obesity is high. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity; however, the induction phase of anesthesia in these patients poses a risk of hypotension. Esketamine, known for its sympathetic nervous system stimulation, may stabilize blood pressure during induction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of esketamine on blood pressure in bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial included 145 patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to receive esketamine or a control intervention during induction. Blood pressure and other vital signs were measured and compared between the 2 groups using statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Administration of esketamine increased blood pressure before intubation (T2). The incidence of hypotension was lower in the esketamine group at multiple time points during induction. Postoperatively, the esketamine group exhibited lower pain scores at 24 hours and a reduced need for rescue analgesics.

CONCLUSION

A single dose of 0.2 mg/kg esketamine during the induction phase of bariatric surgery can improve blood pressure stability and decrease the incidence of hypotension. Furthermore, it is associated with reduced postoperative pain. Future studies could explore the effects of higher esketamine doses and validate these findings in a larger and more diverse patient population.