Safety of propofol sedation directed by endoscopists: how long should we continue to generate evidence?

Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2018 Mar 26:110:260. doi: 10.17235/reed.2018.5531/2018. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Abstract

The administration of propofol by endoscopists is a source of permanent friction with the Societies of Anesthesiology, which is based more on a clear conflict of economic interest on the part of the anesthesiologists than supported by scientific evidence. Maestro Antolín et al. (1) presented a series of more than 33,000 sedations performed with propofol by endoscopists, observing a frequency of cardiorespiratory adverse events of 0.13%. Rather than confrontation between different specialties, where the corporatism of the Anesthesiology Societies and their interest in monopolizing the use of a safe drug such as propofol prevails with no scientific support, anesthesiologists, endoscopists and nurses should instead work together for the benefit of our patients.

MeSH terms

  • Anesthesiologists
  • Clinical Protocols*
  • Conscious Sedation / adverse effects
  • Conscious Sedation / methods*
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / adverse effects
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / methods*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives*
  • Patient Safety*
  • Propofol*

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Propofol