Effects of sedative drugs on diaphragm activity and the timing of extubation in elderly patients after elective surgery / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of sedatives on the activity of the diaphragm assessed by ultrasound and the timing of extubation in elderly patients after elective surgery.Methods:All 60 eligible elderly patients were randomly divided into three groups the propofol group, the midazolam group and the control group(n=20, each group). Remifentanil was used in the three groups to keep the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool(CPOT)score less than 3.Patients in the propofol and midazolam groups were given propofol and midazolam sedation respectively, and the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale(RASS)score was maintained at -2.Diaphragmatic activity was measured, the time from the end of the operation to extubation was recorded, and delirium was evaluated, and the above results were compared with those of the control group, which did not receive sedatives.Results:The activity of the diaphragm was lower in the propofol and midazolam groups than in the control group[(1.10±0.12)cm, (1.17±0.30)cm vs.(1.63±0.25)cm, F=30.170, P=0.000], and there was no significant difference between the propofol group and the midazolam group( t=25.340, P=0.615). There was no significant difference in duration of extubation among the propofol, midazolam and control groups[(1.41±2.08)d, (1.25±1.53)d vs.(1.19±1.40)d, F=0.089, P=0.915]. The incidence of delirium was higher in the midazolam group than in the propofol and control groups[55.0%(11/20), 20.0%(4/20) vs.15.0%(3/20), χ2=5.230, P=0.022, χ2=7.030, P=0.008)], but the difference between the propofol group and control group was not statistically significant( χ2=0.170, P=0.677). Conclusions:The application of sedatives after elective surgery has an effect on the activity of the diaphragm in elderly patients, and the effects of propofol and midazolam are similar.However, propofol and midazolam have no influence on the duration of extubation in elderly patients after elective surgery.Compared with propofol, midazolam increases the incidence of delirium in elderly patients after elective surgery.