Comparison of Premedication with Midazolam and Dexmedetomidine on Sedation and Anxiety in Controlled Hypertensive Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery under General Anaesthesia

The study is a double-blind randomized trial aiming to compare intravenous midazolam and dexmedetomidine as premedication for sedation and anxiety control in controlled hypertensive patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia.

The patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups of 50 patients each. Thirty minutes prior to induction, Group 1 patients received midazolam 0.02mg/kg i.v and Group 2 patients received dexmedetomidine 1mcg/kg i.v in 100 ml normal saline over 10 minutes. Preoperative sedation and anxiety levels and vital parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial oxygen saturation) were assessed for 30 min at every 5 minutes interval.

Preoperative sedation was found to be better with dexmedetomidine as compared to midazolam. Decrease in anxiety was comparable in both the groups. Significant fall in heart rate was observed in dexmedetomidine group but it was within the acceptable limits for age. Mean arterial pressure was comparable in both the groups. There was no statistical difference between the groups with respect to respiratory rate and arterial oxygen saturation.

Dexmedetomidine provides better sedation and good anxiety control with better maintainence of hemodynamic parameters as compared to midazolam. Thus it is a safe and effective drug to be used for premedication in controlled hypertensive patients.