Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. One hundred patients undergoing elective flexible bronchoscopy were randomized into either a propofol-fentanyl group (PF group; n=50) or a dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group (DF group; n=50). SpO2 values, heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), patients' cough scores and discomfort scores as determined by patients and bronchoscopists, levels of sedation, number of times that additional lidocaine was required, elapsed time until recovery, and adverse events were recorded. The mean SpO2 values in the DF group were significantly higher than those in the PF group (P<0.01), and HR, SBP and DBP were significantly lower in the DF group than in the PF group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of cough scores or discomfort scores, sedation levels, or number of times that additional lidocaine was required (P>0.05). Elapsed time until recovery in the DF group was significantly longer than in the PF group (P=0.002). The incidence of hypoxemia was significantly lower in the DF group than in the PF group (P=0.027), but the incidence of bradycardia was significantly higher in the DF group than in the PF group (P=0.037). Dexmedetomidine-fentanyl was superior to propofol-fentanyl in providing satisfactory SpO2. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl attenuated hemodynamic responses during bronchoscopy and maintained hemodynamic stability in the early stage of the procedure.
Keywords: flexible bronchoscopy, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl, propofol-fentanyl, peripheral oxygen saturation, hemodynamic stability, sedation
Introduction
Flexible bronchoscopy is commonly used for the diagnosis and management of a variety of pulmonary diseases. However, it is an invasive procedure that can induce coughing, pain, dyspnea and other adverse effects (1,2). The use of sedatives not only can increase patients' safety and comfort (3) but also can make it easier for the bronchoscopist to perform the procedure and thus avoid extending its duration (4). In addition to alleviating the physiological response to airway irritation during the procedure (5), the proper sedatives should have a rapid onset and a short duration of action, in addition to allowing rapid recovery.
Propofol, a non-opioid and nonbarbiturate sedative hypnotic agent, is frequently used in the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. The properties of rapid onset and offset of action and of smooth recovery (6) make propofol an appealing agent alone or in combination with an opioid for procedural sedation (7–10). However, dose-dependent respiratory depression and hypoxemia are possible, owing to interactions and synergism between sedatives and opioids (11–13).
Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist, has an affinity for α2-adrenoceptors that is 8-fold greater than that of clonidine (14). In addition to providing sedative and analgesic effects (15), dexmedetomidine can be applied generally during fiberoptic intubation or other difficult airway procedures without respiratory depression (16–18). Research has revealed that dexmedetomidine alone is inferior to a combination of propofol and fentanyl for maintaining hemodynamic stability during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (19). However, few data are available regarding the effectiveness of a combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl for bronchoscopy. Therefore, the present prospective, randomized study was conducted to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine-fentanyl is as effective as propofol-fentanyl for providing satisfactory peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and maintaining hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy.
Materials and methods
Patients
The study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Zhengzhou, China), and it adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. This study (registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-13003904) enrolled 100 patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopic procedures (for example, bronchoalveolar lavage or transbronchial biopsy) who provided written evidence of informed consent. The patients, whose ages ranged from 20 to 75 years (mean, 60.11 years) and who had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of I–III, received treatment at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University at some point between December 2013 and May 2014. They were initially randomized to either of two groups, namely a propofol-fentanyl group (PF group; n=50) or a dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group (DF group; n=50), on the basis of a computer-generated randomization list. Exclusion criteria included the following items: Psychological disorders, hypersensitivity or allergy to the study drugs, uncontrolled hypertension (uncontrolled blood pressure >140/90 mmHg), major abnormalities of liver function, ischemic heart disease and severe respiratory disease.
When patients arrived in the operating room, they underwent insertion of a peripheral intravenous cannula for fluid and drug administration. Their electrocardiograms and SpO2 were monitored continuously during the procedure, and blood pressure was automatically and noninvasively measured every 5 min. At least 5 min prior to the initiation of fentanyl administration and during the entire bronchoscopic procedure, each patient received supplemental oxygen at a rate of 4 l/min via nasal cannula. When SpO2 was <90% for >30 sec, which was defined as oxygen desaturation or hypoxemia, oxygen delivery was increased to 6 l/min (20) and airway assistance maneuvers or devices were used, including verbal and tactile stimulation, chin lifts, jaw thrusts, a face mask and manual ventilation.
Flexible bronchoscopy
Any one of four experienced bronchoscopists used a bronchoscope of the same diameter to perform transnasal bronchoscopy in all patients, who were placed in a semi-recumbent position. Topical anesthesia was provided by spraying 2% lidocaine into the nasopharynx and oropharynx. In addition, 3-ml aliquots of 1% lidocaine were sprayed over the vocal cords, onto the trachea, and onto the right and left main bronchi. Supplemental local anesthesia was given as deemed necessary by the bronchoscopist. No inhaled lidocaine was administered prior to the procedure (21).
Propofol was infused in a target-controlled manner. However, to guarantee the patients' safety, a dose of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine was used for at least the initial 10 min, and then a continuous intravenous infusion rate of 0.2–0.7 µg/kg/h was used, which is in line with the guidelines set forth in 1999 by the US Food and Drug Administration (22).
Before starting sedation, patients in both groups received an infusion dose of 1 µg/kg fentanyl (batch no. 1130506; Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Yichang, China). Thereafter, the patients in the DF group received a loading dose of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine (batch no. 13031516: Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd., Jiangsu, China), infused continuously for ~12 min, and the loading dose was followed by a continuous intravenous infusion at a rate of 0.5 µg/kg/h (23). The three-compartment pharmacokinetic model was used, with the infusion of propofol administered via a target-controlled syringe infusion pump (Injectomat TIVA Agilia; Fresenius Kabi, Paris, France), according to each patient's age and weight. The initial effect-site target for propofol (batch no. JV642; AstraZeneca, Basiglio, Italy) concentration was 4 µg/ml in the PF group. Subsequently, the concentration of propofol was maintained at a level between 2 and 4 µg/ml (24) during the 12-min infusion period. Loading doses of dexmedetomidine or propofol were observed to achieve adequate conscious sedation, indicated by the onset of ptosis. Whenever indications of insufficient sedation were observed, including signs of pain or discomfort, agitation, a persistent cough, and inadequate motor or verbal response to manipulation, an additional 2 ml of 2% lidocaine was administered into the trachea through the side hole of a flexible bronchoscope. The number of times that additional lidocaine was administered was recorded.
Outcome variables
The primary study objectives were the mean SpO2 and hemodynamic variables. During the procedure, the SpO2 and hemodynamic variables, including heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), were recorded for both groups at the following time points: 1 min before initiation of fentanyl administration (T1), at the initiation of flexible bronchoscopy (T2), 1 min after initiation of bronchoscopy (T3), 5 min after initiation of bronchoscopy (T4) and at the end of bronchoscopy (T5).
Secondary objectives were cough scores and discomfort scores as assessed by the patients themselves and also by the bronchoscopists. At the end of the procedure, bronchoscopists were asked to record their perception of the patient's cough during the procedure, using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) on which 0 represented no cough and 10 represented incessant coughing. Two hours after bronchoscopy, patients were asked to record their perception of their own coughing associated with the procedure, using the same 10-point VAS. Patients and bronchoscopists were asked to use a 10-point VAS to rate patients' discomfort associated with the procedure, where 0 represented no discomfort and 10 represented the greatest possible discomfort. Willingness to undergo repeat bronchoscopy was also recorded.
The level of sedation was assessed at T2 and T4 using the Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation (MOAA/S) scale, detailed in Table I (25). Indications for flexible bronchoscopy, type of bronchoscopy, duration of procedure, and elapsed time until recovery were recorded for all patients. Recovery time was defined as the time (min) elapsed between withdrawal of a flexible bronchoscope and the moment that the patient was fully awake and conversant.
Table I.
Responsiveness | Score |
---|---|
Agitated | 6 |
Responds readily to name spoken in normal tone | 5 |
Lethargic response to name spoken in normal tone | 4 |
Responds only after name is called loudly and/or repeatedly | 3 |
Responds only after mild prodding or shaking | 2 |
Does not respond to mild prodding or shaking | 1 |
Does not respond to deep stimulus | 0 |
Reproduced with permission from Drake et al (25).
Adverse events
Hypotension (SBP <90 mmHg or mean arterial pressure <60 mmHg) was treated with an infusion of 10 mg ephedrine. Bradycardia (HR <60 beats/min) was treated with an infusion of 0.3 mg atropine. Hypertension (SBP >180 mm Hg or DBP >100 mm Hg) and tachycardia (HR >100 beats/min and/or variation of >20% from baseline value) were treated by administering an additional 2 ml of 2% lidocaine into the trachea.
Statistical analysis
In a large study, Grendelmeier et al investigated the safety of sedation with propofol in flexible bronchoscopy and reported a mean SpO2 of 93% [standard deviation (SD), 4.3%] in their propofol group (26). For the present smaller study, it was determined that a sample size of 44 participants per group was necessary for a two-sided significance level (α) of 0.05 and a power of 0.9 to detect a 3% difference in the mean SpO2 between the two groups. Assuming a 10% dropout rate, the actual size needed for each group was 50 participants. The formula used to calculate the sample size that was required was the following: n=2 [(µα/2+µβ) σ/δ]2, in which δ=3, σ=4.3, α=0.05 and β=0.1. According to the µ value table, µ0.05/2=1.96 and µ0.1=1.282, which were added into the formula (n=44).
The data are presented as mean ± SD, or as number with the percentage of patients in parentheses. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to test between-group differences in SpO2, HR, SBP and DBP over time. Continuous outcomes were analyzed with the Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate in terms of data distribution. Categorical data were examined with the χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS for Windows, version 18.0; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results
Comparison of basic patient characteristics, indications for flexible bronchoscopy, and type or duration of procedure in the two groups
There were no significant differences between the DF and PF groups in terms of age, presence of comorbidities, or ASA physical status (Table II). There were also no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding the indications for bronchoscopy, type of bronchoscopy, and procedure duration (Table III).
Table II.
Characteristic | DF group (n=50) | PF group (n=50) |
---|---|---|
Age, years | 59.76±7.61 | 60.46±6.93 |
Male/female (%) | 27/23 (54/46) | 22/28 (44/56) |
Body mass index, kg/m2 | 22.20±3.06 | 21.69±3.16 |
ASA class | ||
I | 22 (44) | 20 (40) |
II | 13 (26) | 16 (32) |
III | 15 (30) | 14 (28) |
Comorbidities | ||
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 7 (14) | 9 (18) |
Coronary artery disease | 10 (20) | 8 (16) |
Diabetes | 12 (24) | 10 (20) |
Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation, or number (%) of patients. DF group, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group; PF group, propofol-fentanyl group. ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists.
Table III.
Bronchoscopy parameter | DF group (n=50) | PF group (n=50) |
---|---|---|
Indication for bronchoscopy | ||
Infection | 13 (26) | 11 (22) |
Hemoptysis | 9 (18) | 11 (22) |
Suspicion of malignancy | 20 (40) | 18 (36) |
Others | 8 (16) | 10 (20) |
Type of bronchoscopy | ||
Inspection | 15 (30) | 17 (34) |
Bronchoalveolar lavage | 10 (20) | 9 (18) |
Transbronchial biopsy | 18 (36) | 16 (32) |
Others | 7 (14) | 8 (16) |
Duration of procedure, min | 20.64±2.08 | 21.14±1.87 |
Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation, or number (%) of patients. DF group, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group; PF group, propofol-fentanyl group.
Changes in SpO2
There were no significant differences in SpO2 values between the two groups at T1 and T5; however, the mean SpO2 values at the T2, T3 and T4 time points in the DF group were significantly higher than those in the PF group (95.16±2.38 vs. 93.6±2.63% at T2: P<0.01; 94.8±2.05 vs. 93.2±1.83% at T3: P<0.01; 93.92±1.64 vs. 92.72±1.6% at T4: P<0.01; Fig. 1).
Changes in hemodynamic variables
The HR values at T2 were significantly lower compared with those at T1 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 2), but the HR values at T3 and T4 were significantly higher compared with those at T2 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 2). The HR values of the DF group at T2, T3, T4 and T5 were significantly lower compared with those of the PF group (61.72±3.6 vs. 68.28±5.94 beats/min at T2: P<0.05; 82.24±8.7 vs. 89.36±5.68 beats/min at T3: P<0.05; 80.36±9.26 vs. 84.96±8.06 beats/min at T4: P<0.05; 61.14±11.06 vs. 69.28±6.53 beats/min at T5: P<0.05; Fig. 2).
The SBP values at T2 were significantly lower compared with those at T1 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 3), and the SBP values at T3 were significantly higher compared with those at T2 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 3). In the PF group, the SBP values at T4 were significantly higher compared with those at T2 (P<0.05; Fig. 3). The SBP values of the DF group were significantly lower compared with those of the PF group at T3 and T4 (114.92±10.66 vs. 125.52±6.65 mmHg at T3: P<0.05; 105.72±9.29 vs. 115.36±11.9 mmHg at T4: P<0.05, Fig. 3).
The DBP values at T2 were significantly lower compared with those at T1 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 4), and the DBP values at T3 and T4 were significantly higher compared with those at T2 in the same group (P<0.05; Fig. 4). The DBP values of the DF group at T3 and T4 compared with those of the PF group were statistically lower (80.36±9.26 vs. 86.36±5.77 mmHg at T3: P<0.05; 75.98±5.27 vs. 79.44±6.64 mmHg at T4: P<0.05; Fig. 4).
VAS scores, additional lidocaine administration, MOAA/S scores and recovery times
There were no significant differences in VAS scores for coughing and discomfort between the two groups as rated by patients or by bronchoscopists (Fig. 5). There was also no significant difference between groups regarding the number of times that additional lidocaine was necessary. There was no significant difference between groups regarding MOAA/S scores at T2 and T4. The recovery times for the DF group were significantly longer than those for the PF group (13.1±1.68 vs. 11.91±2.14 min: P<0.05; Table IV).
Table IV.
Outcome parameter | DF group (n=50) | PF group (n=50) | P-value |
---|---|---|---|
No. of times additional lidocaine was required | 0.802 | ||
0 | 22 | 20 | |
1 | 13 | 16 | |
>2 | 15 | 14 | |
MOAA/S score 5/4/3/2/1/0 | |||
T2 | 0/5/10/35/0/0 | 0/7/6/37/0/0 | 0.499 |
T4 | 15/24/6/5/0/0 | 12/23/8/7/0/0 | 0.808 |
Recovery time, min | 13.1±1.68a | 11.91±2.14 | 0.002 |
Values are presented as mean ± standard deviation, or number of patients. The MOAA/S scale ranges from 5 (alert) to 0 (asleep). MOAA/S, Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation; DF group, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group; PF group, propofol-fentanyl group.
P<0.05 vs. the PF group.
Adverse events
There were no significant differences in hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, or the proportions of patients who would be willing to repeat the bronchoscopy procedure between the two groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the number of cases of hypoxemia between the DF and PF groups (1 and 7 cases, respectively: P<0.05; Table V). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in bradycardia between the DF and PF groups (13 and 5 cases, respectively: P<0.05; Table V).
Table V.
Adverse event or parameter | DF group (n=50) | PF group (n=50) | P-value |
---|---|---|---|
Bradycardia | 13 (26)a | 5 (10) | 0.037 |
Tachycardia | 6 (12) | 8 (16) | 0.564 |
Hypotension | 8 (16) | 5 (10) | 0.372 |
Hypertension | 5 (10) | 7 (14) | 0.538 |
Hypoxemia | 1 (2)a | 7 (14) | 0.027 |
Willingness for repeat of bronchoscopy | 38 (76) | 33 (66) | 0.271 |
Values are presented as number (%) of patients. DF group, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl group; PF group, propofol-fentanyl group.
P<0.05 vs. the PF group.
Discussion
The results of the present study show that a combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl is superior to a combination of propofol and fentanyl, the reasons for which are discussed below.
A variety of sedatives, including benzodiazepines, opioids and propofol, have been used for bronchoscopy. However, certain studies have shown that following the use of sedatives, recovery times are longer and more desaturations occur (27,28). Although dexmedetomidine produces sedative, analgesic and hypnotic affects, unlike other sedatives it provides respiratory stability and does not cause any clinically relevant respiratory depression (29). This finding has also been confirmed by further research, which showed that dexmedetomidine safely produces satisfactory sedation during fiberoptic intubation or other difficult airway procedures (16–18,30). Moreover, dexmedetomidine has no effect on end-tidal carbon dioxide (31), preserves better arterial saturation (32) and improves oxygenation (33).
In the present study, the incidence of hypoxemia in the patients treated with dexmedetomidine was much lower than in the patients treated with propofol. This is in agreement with the results of a study by Liao et al (34). This trend has previously been explained as being due to the addition of an opioid to propofol resulting in oxygen desaturation in patients undergoing bronchoscopic procedures (35).
According to a study by Adachi et al, hemodynamic responses during flexible bronchoscopy reflect an increase in HR and blood pressure (36). In the present study, a greater increase in HR and blood pressure at initiation of bronchoscopy were observed among patients who were given propofol compared with those who were given dexmedetomidine. These findings show that a combination of dexmedetomidine and fentanyl is superior to a combination of propofol and fentanyl in attenuating hemodynamic responses during flexible bronchoscopy and that specifically, the former combination maintained hemodynamic stability in the early stage of the procedure. This was a better result than that reported by Ryu et al for a dexmedetomidine group compared with a remifentanil group during flexible bronchoscopy (37); they found no differences between outcomes for those two sedatives.
Notably, VAS scores for patients' coughing and discomfort, as recorded by patients and bronchoscopists were no different between the dexmedetomidine and propofol groups. These results differed from those of He et al (38) and Hendrickx et al (39) who found that dexmedetomidine had a less pronounced amnesic effect, which might have occurred because dexmedetomidine interacted synergistically with fentanyl to produce deep hypnosis (38,39). This might also explain why dexmedetomidine was associated with a longer recovery time. However, on the basis of the present research methodology, the current study focused on numbers of patients who were given additional lidocaine two or more times. The exact amount of lidocaine administered was not recorded. As a result, whether the total amount of additional lidocaine correlated with the effects of propofol or dexmedetomidine administration was not determined; thus, it is not possible to directly draw conclusions regarding the influence of propofol compared with dexmedetomidine on cough and discomfort scores. Therefore, the amount of lidocaine spray used should be recorded in future investigations.
The main adverse effects of dexmedetomidine include bradycardia, hypotension, and hypertension (40). Bradycardia was observed more often in the dexmedetomidine group than in the propofol group. Although the two groups displayed both hypotension and hypertension, the incidence of these conditions did not differ between groups.
The present study had the following limitations. First, it was not a blinded study. Patients' level of sedation was assessed by MOAA/S at only two time points during flexible bronchoscopy. That might have influenced the results. To remove sedation level as a confounding factor in future studies, depth of anesthesia should be assessed by monitoring equipment at additional time points, along with mean SpO2 values and hemodynamic variables. Second, aside from bradycardia, hypotension and hypertension, other adverse effects of dexmedetomidine that have been observed in other studies, such as delirium, nausea, vomiting, and shivering, were not recorded. Future studies must address those additional effects.
In conclusion, with the exception of a longer recovery time and higher incidence of bradycardia, the present study found that dexmedetomidine-fentanyl was superior to propofol-fentanyl in providing satisfactory sedation and peripheral oxygen saturation during flexible bronchoscopy. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine-fentanyl attenuated hemodynamic responses and maintained hemodynamic stability in the early stage of bronchoscopy.
Acknowledgements
Katharine O'Moore-Klopf, ELS (East Setauket, NY, USA) provided professional English-language editing of this article.
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