Effect of general anesthesia with different doses of remimazolam on the depth of sedation and respiratory function in patients

Purpose: To investigate the effect of general anesthesia using different doses of remimazolam on the depth of sedation and respiratory function in patients. Methods: From August 2019 to May 2021, 120 patients admitted to Handan Central Hospital for general anesthesia were randomly assigned to propofol group (positive control) given the drug at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg, and three groups were given remimazolam (R) at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg (R1), 0.3 mg/kg (R2), or 0.4 mg/kg (R3) via intravenous injection. relation between Modified Observer Alertness/Sedation Scale (MOAA/S) scores and BIS was determined and recorded for the three remimazolam groups of patients. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation (SpO2) levels were recorded. The Bruggrmann Comfort Scale (BCS) scale [8] was used at 4 score grades to assess the comfort level of the patients. Results: The Modified Observer Alertness/Sedation Scale (MOAA/S) scores were positively correlated with Bispectral index (BIS); the higher the anesthesia dose, the higher the MOAA/S scores and BIS values of the patients. Patients in groups R1, R2, and R3 had significantly higher systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) at T2 than those in the propofol group (p < 0.05). Groups R1 and R2 exhibited considerably greater PAW values at T3 than the propofol group, whereas R3 had significantly lower PAW values at T3. There was significantly more incidence of bradycardia and hypotension in the propofol group than in the other three groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: General anesthesia with remimazolam at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg has no effect on respiratory function and hemodynamics, but it produces positive sedation and a high safety profile. However, more clinical trials are necessary prior to its application in clinical practice.