Assessment of propofol usefulness as an anesthetic agent during colonoscopy

Propofol is used as a sedative drug during colonoscopy. In this study we analyzed the adverse effects of propofol [i.e., hemodynamic and respiratory] on patients who underwent colonoscopies. This study was performed in Qom Province, Iran. In this study, 125 patients [63 females, 62 males] were enrolled. Study patients were administered [0.5-1.5 mg/kg] intravenous propofol by and anesthesiologist. Oxygen saturation and blood pressure were recorded at three minute intervals. We used the American Society of Anesthesiology [ASA] classification to stratify patients by risk prior to the procedure. For statistical analysis, the chi-square and paired t-tests were used. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Patients' mean age was 45.36 +/- 16.19 years. ASA-I comprised 25.6% of study patients and 74.4% were categorized as ASA-II. Hypopnea occurred in 56.8% of patients and was prolonged in 32.4%. Of the study patients, 5.6% developed hypoxemia which was successfully controlled by the administration of nasal oxygen and no need for mechanical ventilation. The mean arterial blood pressure [p< 0.0001], oxygen saturation [p< 0.0001] and heart rate [p<0.0001] significantly decreased during colonoscopy. The occurrence of hypopnea significantly increased in patients with pre-procedure oxygen saturation levels /= 50 years [p< 0.0001] and ASA class II [p<0.0001] Agitation, hypotension and cough were seen in 1.6%, 1.6% and 0.8% of patients, respectively. Propofol has a short half life that enables faster recovery of normal neurologic and social functions we recommend the use of propofol under supervision of anesthesiologist or a trained gastroenterologist

Effectiveness of measuring blood pressure at home

To assess the effectiveness of measuring blood pressure at home for the management of hypertension. This study was conducted at the Royal Jordanian Air Force Medical Center, on patients visiting the family practice clinics, during the period March 2001-March 2002. A total of 4800 patients visited the clinics, but only 62 cases were studied to determine he effectiveness of advising patients to measure their blood pressure at home, for diagnosis and follow up of hypertension. A total of 62 patients, aged between 40-60 years were diagnosed to have hypertension at the clinic. The mean age was 51.2 years, whereas 47[75.8%] were males and 15[24.2%] were females. About 55 patients [88.7%] were newly diagnosed hypertension, and 7 patients [11.3%] were cases with discordance in blood pressure readings [white coat hypertension]. Blood pressure measured at home is a good predictor in the management of hypertension