Comparison of the effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients with gastric cancer

Abstract

PurposeTo compare the effects of remimazolam and dexmedetomidine on early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged gastric cancer patients.MethodsFrom June to December 2022, 104 elderly patients (aged 65–80 years) received laparoscopic radical resection of gastric cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Using the random number table approach, the patients were separated into three groups: remimazolam (Group R), dexmedetomidine (Group D), and saline (Group C). The primary outcome was the incidence of POCD, and secondary outcomes included TNF-α and S-100β protein concentrations, hemodynamics, VAS scores, anesthesia recovery indicators, and the occurrence of adverse events within 48 h postoperatively.ResultsAt 3 and 7 days after surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of POCD, the MMSE and MoCA scores between groups R and D (p > 0.05). However, compared to the saline group, both groups had higher MMSE and MoCA scores and decreased incidences of POCD. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Between group R and group D, there were no statistically significant changes (p > 0.05) in the levels of TNF-α and S-100β protein at the three time points (at the end of the surgery, 1 day later, and 3 days later). Even though neither group’s concentration of the two factors was as high as that of the saline group, the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). At all three time points—following induction (T2), 30 min into the operation (T3), and at the conclusion of the surgery (T4)—the heart rate and blood pressure in group R were greater than those in groups D and C. Statistics showed that the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative hypotension was highest in group D and lowest in group R (p < 0.05). The dose of propofol and remifentanil, group C > group R > group D. Extubation and PACU residence times did not differ statistically significantly (p > 0.05) between the three groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores between groups R and D after 24 h postoperatively (p > 0.05), although both had lower scores than group C, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The VAS scores between the three groups at 72 h (T6) and 7 days (T7) were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Adverse reactions such as respiratory depression, hypotension, bradycardia, agitation, drowsiness, and nausea and vomiting had the lowest incidence in group R and the highest incidence in group C (p < 0.05).ConclusionRemimazolam is similarly beneficial as dexmedetomidine in lowering the incidence of early POCD in aged patients after radical gastric cancer resection, probably due to reduced inflammatory response.

Perioperative analgesia in the elderly

“…Interestingly, plasma inflammatory cytokines, including TNFα and S100β, were significantly reduced by remimazolam. [ 64 ] Similar beneficial effects on postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction were recently observed by using low-dose esketamine during sevoflurane/RF anesthesia in elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancers. [ 65 ]…”

Remimazolam for the prevention of emergence agitation in adult following nasal surgery under general anesthesia: A randomized controlled study

“…This may be related to the pharmacological properties of remimazolam, which has been con rmed by multiple studies to have no effect on postoperative recovery time. 18,19,20 Although there are several limitations in this study, it is still valuable to explore its results. Firstly, during the experimental process, we only used a single intravenous infusion dose of remimazolam, which was 0.1 mg/kg.…”

Remimazolam Pilot for Office-Based Dental Sedation: Adverse Events, Awareness and Outcomes

“…The induction and recovery time comparing propofol and remimazolam (when reversed with flumazenil) for ambulatory procedures has been shown to be comparable [30]. When compared to propofol, remimazolam may lessen the degree of short-term cognitive dysfunction in the elderly (over 65 years) and is similar to dexmedetomidine in reducing post op cognitive dysfunction seen at 3 and 7 days [31,32].…”