Key result
Midazolam lowers blood pressure less than propofol but offers less hemodynamic stability than other sedatives.
Why the study?
The effects of intraoperative midazolam infusion on blood pressure variability and intraoperative hypertension in hypertensive patients are not fully understood.
Does intraoperative midazolam infusion improve blood pressure variability and prevent intraoperative hypertension in hypertensive patients?
Does intraoperative midazolam infusion improve blood pressure variability and prevent intraoperative hypertension in hypertensive patients?
Intraoperative midazolam infusion may help maintain hemodynamic stability by reducing stress responses, but evidence for its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure variability and preventing intraoperative hypertension remains limited compared to newer agents like remimazolam and dexmedetomidine.
May warrant caution versus newer agents for stability in hypertensive patients; leaves open midazolam's role in reducing blood pressure variability.
Background: Effective blood pressure control during surgery is crucial, especially for patients with hypertension, as blood pressure variability (BPV) and intraoperative hypertension (IOH) increase the risk of postoperative complications such as acute kidney injury (AKI). Midazolam is widely used for sedation, induction, and co-induction of anesthesia, but its effects on intraoperative hemodynamic stability particularly BPV and IOH in hypertensive patients are not fully understood. Objective: This scoping review summarizes current evidence on the effects of intraoperative midazolam infusion on BPV and IOH in hypertensive patients and identifies existing research gaps .Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials for studies published between 2021 and 2025 with RCT, quasi-experimental, cohort, or observational designs reporting intraoperative hemodynamic parameters. Study quality was assessed using the MMAT 2018. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Midazolam caused a milder blood pressure decrease than propofol but provided less hemodynamic stability than etomidate. Other agents, such as remimazolam and dexmedetomidine, often demonstrated superior hemodynamic profiles. Although midazolam can reduce stress responses and early blood pressure fluctuations, most studies did not evaluate BPV using comprehensive statistical methods. BPV and IOH were consistently associated with higher postoperative risks, particularly AKI in hypertensive patients.Conclusion: Intraoperative midazolam infusion may help maintain hemodynamic stability, but evidence regarding its effectiveness in reducing BPV and preventing IOH remains limited. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to directly assess the impact of midazolam infusion on BPV in hypertensive patients and compare it with other sedative agents.
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Ramadhani et al. (2025) conducted a review in Hypertension (n=10). Intraoperative midazolam infusion vs. Other sedative agents (propofol, etomidate, remimazolam, dexmedetomidine) or placebo was evaluated on Hemodynamic stability, blood pressure variability, and intraoperative hypertension. Intraoperative midazolam infusion caused a milder blood pressure decrease than propofol but provided less hemodynamic stability than etomidate, remimazolam, and dexmedetomidine.
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