ABSTRACT
The efficacy of aminophylline in antagonizing midazolam-induced sedation was evaluated in a double-blind study involving 60 patients scheduled for epidural anesthesia. Premedication consisted of sublingual flunitrazepam 2mg. Intraoperative sedation was achieved with intermitent intravenous bolus of midazolam 1mg. At the end of the surgery patients received either aminophyline 2mg/Kg (Group A), flumazenil 0.01mg/Kg (Group F) or placebo 0.1 ML/Kg (Group P) intravenously. Central nervous system functions were evaluated according to the degree of sedation, orientation, and cooperation presented. At the end of the surgery sedation was such that no patient was "completely awake". Fifteen minutes after the "antagonist" drug was administered, 35 percent of the patients in Group A, 100 percent in Group F, and 0 percent in Group P were "completely awake". Regarding orientation, 5 percent vs 55 percent in Group A, 0 percent vs 100 percent in Group F and 10 percent vs - 15 percent in Group P were "completely oriented" before vs after the drugs. Regarding cooperation, 5 percent vs 70 percent in Group A, 5 percent vs 100 percent in Group F, and 15 percent vs 15 percent in Group P were "completely cooperative" before vs after drugs. It is suggested that aminophylline can be used for reversal of midazolam action, although it is less effective than flumazenil