Remifentanil versus meperidine for monitored anesthesia care: A comparison study in older patients undergoing ambulatory colonoscopy

Philip E. Greilich, Cesar D. Virella, James M. Rich, Mangala Kurada, Kevin Roberts, James F. Warren, William V. Harford

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

Colonoscopy is one of the most frequently performed outpatient procedures in the United States. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that a remifentanil infusion would be superior to boluses of meperidine in older patients undergoing ambulatory colonoscopy. One hundred ASA physical status I-IV patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized in this double-blinded study to receive either remifentanil infusions (n = 49) or titrated boluses of meperidine (n = 51). Patient tolerance was assessed using physiologic variables and side effects associated with opioid analgesia. Verbal pain/anxiety and patient/operator satisfaction were also assessed. As a group, the physiologic characteristics demonstrated no significant differences in the response to the colonoscopy procedure. Although the patient and operator satisfaction surveys were similar between groups, the incidences of tachycardia, hypotension, and nausea were less and the adjusted verbal pain and anxiety scores were more in the Remifentanil group compared with the Meperidine group. This study demonstrates that remifentanil and meperidine were equally well tolerated in older patients undergoing ambulatory colonoscopy when administered by an anesthesia provider. The differences in the pharmakinetics of remifentanil and meperidine most likely account for the differences noted between the two treatment groups.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)80-84
Number of pages5
JournalAnesthesia and analgesia
Volume92
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Remifentanil versus meperidine for monitored anesthesia care: A comparison study in older patients undergoing ambulatory colonoscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this