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Chapter 9
Figure 1.
Study flow chart
Our study focussed on elective endoscopic oesophageal procedures for treatment of
Barrett’s oesophagus (mapping, endoscopic resection and radiofrequency ablation).
Endoscopic resection of the mucosa is the cornerstone of endoscopic Barrett’s therapy,
allowing curative removal and histological staging of neoplasia. Radiofrequency ablation
is used to eradicate all intestinal metaplasia to prevent recurrences. All these procedures
require easily arousable, conscious sedation.
All parties concerned (patient, endoscopist, endoscope nurse and independent investigator)
with the exception of the specialised anaesthesia nurse who administered the sedation
were blinded to the drug employed, as previously published in the study protocol.
7
Patients scheduled for an elective endoscopic oesophageal procedure were considered
for participation. Inclusion criteria were age at least 18 years, American Society of
Anesthesiologists’ physical status 1 to 3, and provision of informed consent. Exclusion
criteria were known allergic reaction to planned medication, SBP less than 80 mmHg, heart
rate (HR) less than 50 bpm, ejection fraction less than 30%, estimated glomerular filtration
rate less than 15 ml/min or impaired liver function (Child–Pugh Class A, B or C).