Randomized controlled trial for anesthesia during gastroscopy: interactions between remimazolam and propofol in combination with sufentanil

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is a new short-duration anesthetic currently used for gastroscopy and can be mixed with propofol and potent opioids. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the synergistic interaction between remimazolam and propofol after sufentanil administration and to determine the appropriate dose ratios between remimazolam and propofol. METHOD: This study used a randomized controlled design. Patients scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy were included and randomized into five groups. The randomized block design was applied at a randomization ratio of 1:1. Patients in each group received sufentanil (0.1 μg/kg) and the calculated doses of remimazolam and propofol. Using the up and down method, the median effective dose (ED(50)) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined based on whether the eyelash reflex disappeared in each treatment group. Isobolographic analysis was used to analyze the presence of drug interactions. The interaction coefficient and the dose ratio between remimazolam and propofol were calculated by algebraic analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using interval estimates and 95% CI for statistical attributes. RESULTS: Cross-sectional analysis of the isobologram showed a clinically significant synergistic effect between remimazolam and propofol. When 0.016, 0.032, and 0.047 mg/kg of remimazolam were combined with 0.477, 0.221, and 0.131 mg/kg of propofol, the interaction coefficients were 1.04, 1.21, and 1.06, respectively. The dose ratio of remimazolam to propofol was approximately 1:7. CONCLUSION: Remimazolam and propofol have synergistic clinical effects. A strong synergistic effect was observed when the remimazolam and propofol dose ratio was 1:7 (mg/kg). CLINICAL TRIAL: The study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100052425).