Intravenous sedation techniques in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Abstract

Gastrointestinal endoscopic (GIE) procedure has become an essential modality for evaluation and management of gastrointestinal tract abnormalities. The safe sedation of patients for this procedure requires a combination of properly trained physicians and appropriate facilities. Moreover, proper selection and preparation of patients, suitable sedative technique, and application of drugs is essential. Irrespective of regimen used, the safe administration of sedative drugs requires an awareness of the individual needs of the patients. To date, the most commonly used sedation technique for GIE procedure is intravenous technique. The use of short acting drug, adequate dose of sedative agents and sedation endpoint as well as appropriate sedation technique has an important role and also increased the safety. Several intravenous sedation techniques are presently used and evaluated. This article reviews and discusses the current status of the intravenous techniques for sedation in various GIE procedures.