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Effect of Propofol Versus Remimazolam Intravenous Anesthesia on Respiratory Depression

Effect of Propofol Versus Remimazolam Intravenous Anesthesia Combined With Regional or Caudal Block on Respiratory Depression in Young Children: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06816173
Enrollment
96
Registered
2025-02-10
Start date
2025-02-28
Completion date
2026-02-28
Last updated
2025-02-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Respiratory Depression

Brief summary

General anesthesia is the preferred choice for pediatric patients, but the induction of volatile anesthetics via face mask may cause preoperative anxiety and postoperative delirium. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is more suitable for pediatric patients, as it can effectively alleviate preoperative anxiety, reduce the risk of postoperative delirium and mania, shorten hospital stay, reduce medical burden, and increase parental satisfaction. Propofol, although effective for anesthesia, has drawbacks such as injection pain and respiratory and circulatory suppression. Remimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine drug, which has no injection pain, minimal impact on respiration and circulation, and rapid onset and elimination, making it suitable for children. However, research on remimazolam in children is limited. This study aims to compare the effect of propofol and remimazolam intravenous anesthesia combined with regional or caudal block on respiratory depression in preschoolers.

Detailed description

Ninety-six children aged 3-6 years scheduled for surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. Initially, fentanyl was administered at a dose of 2-3 mcg/kg, and after 3 minutes, different test drugs were given according to the group assignment. In group P, propofol was administered intravenously at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg, while in group R, remimazolam was administered intravenously at a dose of 0.45-0.55 mg/kg. After achieving loss of consciousness (LoC, MOAA/S ≤ 1), a laryngeal mask was inserted, and spontaneous breathing was maintained. Subsequently, the test drugs were infused according to the group assignment, and both groups received a constant infusion of remifentanil at a rate of 0.05-0.4 μg/kg/min. After connecting the micro-infusion pump, regional or caudal block was performed. Once the local anesthetic had taken full effect, the infusion of remifentanil was stopped, and surgery began. The test drugs were stopped approximately 5 minutes before the end of the surgery, and the laryngeal mask was removed when spontaneous breathing reached a tidal volume of ≥ 6 ml/kg and a frequency of ≥ 15 breaths per minute. The following data were recorded: the time to loss of consciousness, the incidence of respiratory depression during anesthesia, the success rate of intravenous sedation, the incidence of postoperative agitation, recovery time, MOAA/S scores, and vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry.

Interventions

DRUGPropofol group

Induction phase: Administer fentanyl at a dose of 2-3 mcg/kg, and after 3 minutes, administer propofol intravenously at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg. Maintenance phase: Infuse propofol (4-12 mg/kg/h) and maintain a constant infusion of remifentanil at a rate of 0.05-0.4 μg/kg/min. Subsequently, perform regional block (0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg) or caudal block (lower limbs or perineal area: 0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg; lower abdomen/inguinal area: 0.25% ropivacaine 0.75 ml/kg). After the local anesthetic has taken full effect, stop the infusion of remifentanil.

Induction phase: Administer fentanyl at a dose of 2-3 mcg/kg, and after 3 minutes, administer remimazolam intravenously at a dose of 0.45-0.55 mg/kg. Maintenance phase: Infuse remimazolam (1-3 mg/kg/h) and maintain a constant infusion of remifentanil at a rate of 0.05-0.4 μg/kg/min. Subsequently, perform regional block (0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg) or caudal block (lower limbs or perineal area: 0.25% ropivacaine 0.5 ml/kg; lower abdomen/inguinal area: 0.25% ropivacaine 0.75 ml/kg). After the local anesthetic has taken full effect, stop the infusion of remifentanil.

Sponsors

Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
3 Years to 6 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Aged 3-6 years, gender unrestricted; 2. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I-II; 3. Body Mass Index (BMI) between 14 kg/m² and 25 kg/m²; 4. Patients requiring elective surgery that can be completely anesthetized through regional or caudal block; 5. The child's parent or legal guardian voluntarily participates in this trial and signs the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

1. Children requiring special care or under the supervision of a court or social welfare agency; 2. Children who have received general anesthesia within 3 months prior to the screening period; 3. Children with a history of respiratory diseases within the past 2 weeks or those deemed to have difficult airway management: Modified Mallampati score of III or IV; 4. Children with severe cardiovascular diseases or endocrine system abnormalities; 5. Children with known psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairments; 6. Children with abnormal liver function, ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and/or AST (aspartate aminotransferase) \>1.5 times the upper limit of normal; children with total bilirubin exceeding the upper limit of normal; children with abnormal kidney function, creatinine and/or blood urea nitrogen higher than the upper limit of normal; 7. Children known or suspected to be allergic to the study drug or benzodiazepines.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of respiratory depression during anesthesiaDuring the induction and maintenance of anesthesiaDuring the induction and maintenance of anesthesia, the occurrence of respiratory depression is defined by meeting at least one of the following criteria: 1. Spontaneous respiratory rate (RR) less than 12 breaths/min for a duration of 1 minute, or peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) less than 92% for a duration of 10 seconds. 2. Loss of spontaneous breathing.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Success rate of anesthesia induction and maintenanceDuring the induction and maintenance of anesthesiaSuccessful anesthesia induction is defined as achieving loss of consciousness (LoC) without the use of rescue sedation during the induction period. Successful anesthesia maintenance is defined as not requiring rescue sedation or interruption of the study drug during the maintenance period.
Time to Loss of Consciousness (LoC)During anesthesia inductionThe time from the start of administration of the study drug to the loss of consciousness in the subjects, defined as MOAA/S ≤ 1.
PAED scores of the subjects in the PACUAssess every 5 minutes after the child regains consciousness.The PAED scale consists of 5 items, which are: obeying commands and being communicative, purposeful behavior, attention to the surrounding environment, restlessness, and crying that cannot be comforted. A PAED score of ≥12 is defined as delirium.
Recovery timeThe moment of anesthesia recoveryThe time from the cessation of the study drug infusion during anesthesia maintenance to the recovery of the subject (defined as the first time when the MOAA/S score is continuously three times 5).
Time-frequency characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG)Intraoperative (during remimazolam general anesthesia (including anesthesia induction, maintenance and recovery)The time-frequency characteristics of the frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) in children of different age groups under propofol or remimazolam general anesthesia (including induction, maintenance, and recovery phases).

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactHuacheng Liu
huachengliu@163.com18957755138
Backup ContactYuhang Cai
838097626@qq.com18815091585

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026