Abstract
We studied the effect of sedation by IV butorphanol on blood pressure, pulse rate, and arterial oxygen saturation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination. Butor-phanol decreased the retching of patients with resulting increase of the tolerance. In the non-sedated control group, gastroduodenoscopic examination induced the elevation of blood pressure and pulse rate. In young patients, butorphanol attenuated the endoscopy-induced rise in blood pressure and pulse rate without decreasing arterial oxygen saturation. In elderly patients, older than 61 years old, butorphanol administration caused the remark-able decrease of arterial oxygen saturation. Therefore, when butorphanoll is used as a sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in elderly patients, attention should be payed to the decrease of arterial oxygen saturation during the procedure.
