Comparison of Midazolam and Propofol in Combination With Alfentanil for Total Intravenous Anesthesia

Abstract

Hemodynamic function during induction of anesthesia, the alfentanil and naloxone requirements, and the speed of recovery from total intravenous anesthesia with alfentanil/midazolam (group M, n = 10) or alfentanil/propofol (group P, n = 10) were compared in patients undergoing lower limb surgery. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg/kg propofol in 5 min followed by 9 mg.kg-1.h-1 for 30 min and 4.5 mg.kg-1.h-1 until skin closure, or 0.42 mg/kg midazolam in 5 min followed by 0.125 mg.kg-1.h-1 until skin closure. Simultaneously, a variable-rate infusion of alfentanil was given. Patients were ventilated with 30% oxygen in air. In both groups blood pressure and heart rate decreased significantly (P less than 0.02) and to a similar extent during induction. The total dose of alfentanil was similar in both groups. No patient in group P and nine patients in group M needed naloxone (average dose 130 +/- 70 micrograms, P less than 0.001). Recovery, as judged by psychomotor tests (90% score was reached at 1 h in the P group and at about 4 h in the M group, P less than 0.001), sedative scores, and orientation in time and place, was shorter in group P than in group M. The conclusion is reached that propofol is superior to midazolam in total intravenous anesthesia with alfentanil.