Anesthetic Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine versus Midazolam When Combined with Remifentanil for Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

Anesthesia for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) involves a high-risk population having a broad spectrum of pain character and intensity. This study delved the anesthetic efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam, when used with remifentanil. Seventy patients scheduled for femoropopliteal PTA were randomized into two groups receiving either intermittent midazolam boluses (0.03–0.05 mg/kg) (MR group) or dexmedetomidine 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/h after a loading dose of 1.0 μg/kg for 10 min (DR group), both with remifentanil. The primary endpoint was the patients’ satisfaction (1–5, 5; extremely satisfied). Secondary endpoints included postprocedural pain scores (0–10, 10; worst imaginable pain) and adverse events. The satisfaction level of patients was significantly greater in the DR group compared with the MR group (4.0 [3.0, 5.0] versus 4.0 [2.0, 5.0] p = 0.021). The number of patients having a postprocedural pain score of at least 3 was significantly greater in the MR group compared with the DR group (10 [29%] versus 2 [6%], p = 0.013). The number of patients with hypotensive episodes was higher in the DR group (5 [14.7%] versus 0, p = 0.025), which could all be restored with ephedrine. The use of dexmedetomidine in conjunction with remifentanil may be a safe option that provides excellent patient satisfaction while potentially attenuating postprocedural pain.