Propofol Versus Midazolam+Alfentanil for Sedation During Bronchoscopy: Comparison by Cutaneous Carbon Dioxide Tension

Although propofol is a popular agent for sedation during flexible bronchoscopy, some clinicians have raised concerns that it may cause greater respiratory drive reduction than more common drugs. However, this factor is difficult to accurately examine with pulse oximetry. The introduction of a novel device that noninvasively measures carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can help to resolve this controversy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety of conscious sedation with midazolam+alfentanil compared to propofol.