Objective: Binaural beats, or the perceptual auditory illusions created when simultaneously presenting two similar frequencies to each ear separately, have been used to reduce anxiety in various procedures. Unfortunately, no prior study involved preprocedure binaural music exposure among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and this study sought to investigate its effect on anxiety and tolerance among participants undergoing sedation-free upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Methods: The prospective, controlled, randomized trial included the participation of 96 Turkish patients aged between 18 and 70 years who were scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, regardless of sex or illness, and were divided randomly into two different groups to undergo endoscopy, namely, the binaural beats group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 48). Patients in the binaural beat music group wore headphones, and music was given 15 mins before endoscopy; however, no particular treatment was given for either group. Anxiety levels were assessed by using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire, in addition to changes before and after endoscopy to measure patient satisfaction based on the physician\'s recorded numbers of retches noted by doctors as tolerance was documented and compared among both groups. Results: The results showed that following this procedure, in the music group, state scores remained significantly lower than before them (p = 0.016), compared with the control group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference regarding changes in diastolic or systolic heart rate or blood pressure (p > 0.05). However, the procedure tolerance and satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the music group than those without music (p < 0.05). Conclusion: For patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, music with binaural beats was found to significantly reduce anxiety levels and increase patient tolerance, providing an alternative option to sedative medications as a potential sedative treatment option.Clinical trials registration number: NCT06114524.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam tosilate is a new type of benzodiazepine currently used for gastrointestinal endoscopy and can be combined with alfentanil.
OBJECTIVE: This trial compared the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam with alfentanil to propofol with alfentanil in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.
METHODS: One hundred and sixty-six patients were randomly divided into propofol-alfentanil anaesthesia (Group P) and remimazolam-alfentanil anaesthesia (Group R). The primary outcomes were perioperative haemodynamic variables, including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) preoperatively (T0); after anaesthesia induction (T1); when the gastroscope passed through the oropharynx (T2); 3 min (T3), 5 min (T4) and 7 min (T5) after T2; at the end of surgery (T6); and when patients successfully awakened (T7). The secondary outcomes included induction and awakening time, patient satisfaction, operator satisfaction, and adverse event occurrences.
RESULTS: Compared with those in Group P, the SBP in Group R was significantly higher at T1, T2, T3, and T6 (P < 0.05); the DBP and MAP were significantly higher at T1, T2, T3, T5, and T6 (P < 0.05); the HR was significantly faster at T1 to T6 (P < 0.05); the SpO2 was significantly higher at T1 to T4 (P < 0.05); the incidences of hypoxemia, hypotension, and drug injection pain were significantly lower in Group R (P < 0.05); the incidence of hiccups was higher (P < 0.05); the awakening time was shorter in Group R (P < 0.05); and the operator satisfaction score was high (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to propofol with alfentanil, remimazolam with alfentanil can be used safely and effectively for sedation in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy, with less impact on the patient\'s circulatory and respiratory systems and a lower incidence of adverse events.
BACKGROUND: This trial protocol was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCR2300077252, date: 2023-11-02).

UNASSIGNED: Remimazolam is a novel short-acting benzodiazepine used for sedation and general anesthesia. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of remimazolam besylate in elderly patients who underwent diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 120 patients aged 60-75 years were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Remifentanil 0.3μg/kg was used for analgesia. Patients were administered remimazolam besylate 7 mg (R group) or etomidate 0.1 mg/kg combined with 1% propofol 0.5 mg/kg (EP group) for induction, supplemental repeated doses were given as needed. Some time metrics, vital signs, adverse events were evaluated. Patients\' Mini-cog score and recovery questionnaires were compared.
UNASSIGNED: Compared to the EP group, the induction time was slightly longer in the R group (1.50 VS 1.15 minutes) (P<0.05), the time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) was shorter (15.17 VS 17.40 minutes) (P<0.05). Compare with EP group, SBP was lower in R group at T15 and T25 time point, but heart rate was higher in T2, T3, T5 (P< 0.05). The Mini-Cog score was higher after the procedure (2.83 VS 2.58) (P<0.05). The incidence of respiratory adverse events was higher in the EP group than R group (18.3% VS 5.0%, P < 0.05). The most common adverse event in R group was hiccups. The sedation satisfaction rate and degree of amnesia were higher in the R group (66.7% VS 11.7%) (P < 0.05), and the effect on patient\'s life within 24 hours was lower (12.0% VS 30.5%) (P < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: The safety and efficacy of remimazolam besylate are not inferior to those of etomidate combined with propofol, rendering it a safe option for sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy in ASA I-II elderly patients, but care should be taken to monitor the occurrence of hiccups.

BACKGROUND: Further clinical validation is required to determine whether transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can replace opioids and be used in combination with remimazolam for sedation during gastrointestinal endoscopy.
METHODS: A total of 108 outpatients who underwent diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomly divided into three groups: fentanyl plus remimazolam group (group C), TEAS plus remimazolam group (group E), and placebo-TEAS plus remimazolam group (group P). The assessments of patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction, and pain scale score during the examination constituted the primary endpoints of the study. The secondary endpoints were the time of recovery, recovery of normal behavioral function and discharge, incidence of adverse reactions, and dose of remimazolam.
RESULTS: Compared with group C, group E had a greater median score for patient satisfaction at follow-up and a slightly lower median score for physician satisfaction. The pain score of group E was slightly greater than that of group C, but the difference was not significant. However, in group C, the incidence of hypoxemia, the rate of nausea and the severity of vertigo were greater, and the number of patients discharged and resuming normal behavioral function was greater than those in the other two groups. The dose of remimazolam in group C and group E was less than that in group P.
CONCLUSIONS: TEAS combined with moderate sedation of remimazolam can provide an ideal sedative effect, which preferably suppresses discomfort caused by gastrointestinal endoscopy and has fewer sedation-related complications.
BACKGROUND: ID: NCT05485064; First registration (29/07/2022); Last registration (02/11/2022) (Clinical Trials.gov).

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have evaluated the adenoma detection rate (ADR) of colonoscopy with texture and color enhancement imaging (TXI), a novel image-enhancing technology. This study compares the detection of colorectal polyps using TXI to that using white light imaging (WLI).
METHODS: This single-center retrospective study used propensity-matched scoring based on the patients\' baseline characteristics (age, sex, indication, bowel preparation, endoscopist, colonoscope type, and withdrawal time) to compare the results of patients who underwent chromoendoscopy using WLI or TXI at the Toyoshima Endoscopy Clinic. The differences in polyp detection rates and the mean number of detected polyps per colonoscopy were determined between the TXI and WLI groups.
RESULTS: After propensity score matching, 1970 patients were enrolled into each imaging modality group. The mean patient age was 57.2 ± 12.5 years, and 44.5% of the cohort were men. The ADR was higher in the TXI group than in the WLI group (55.0% vs 49.4%, odds ratio: 1.25). High-risk ADR were more common in the TXI group than in the WLI group (17.6% vs 12.8%; OR: 1.45). The mean number of adenomas per colonoscopy (APC) was higher in the TXI group than in the WLI group (1.187 vs 0.943, OR: 1.12). APC with a flat morphology (1.093 vs 0.848, OR: 1.14) and APC of <6 mm (0.992 vs 0.757, OR: 1.16) were higher in the TXI group than in the WLI group.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to WLI, TXI improved the ADR in patients who underwent chromoendoscopy based on actual clinical data.

UNASSIGNED: The role of esketamine in pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esketamine for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy.
UNASSIGNED: Clinical trials of esketamine for pediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy were searched in eight common databases, up to October 2023. These clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). The risk ratio (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were used as the effect sizes for dichotomous variables and continuity variables, respectively. When the heterogeneity test showed I2 < 50%, the fixed effects model was used for the meta-analysis and TSA; Otherwise, the random effects model was used for them.
UNASSIGNED: In terms of efficacy endpoints, the meta-analysis showed that compared with placebo or blank, esketamine significantly decreased recovery time by 2.34 min (WMD -2.34; 95% Confidence interval [CI] -3.65, -1.02; p = 0.0005) and propofol consumption by 0.70 mg/kg (WMD -0.70; 95% CI -0.98, -0.43; p < 0.00001), and increased mean heart rate by 4.77 beats/min (WMD 4.77; 95% CI 2.67, 6.87; p < 0.00001) and mean arterial pressure by 3.10 mmHg (WMD 3.10; 95% CI 1.52, 4.67; p = 0.0001), while induction time and mean blood oxygen remained comparable. TSA indicated conclusive evidence for these benefits. In terms of safety endpoints, the meta-analysis revealed that esketamine significantly reduced involuntary movements by 59% (RR 0.41; 95% CI 0.22, 0.76; p = 0.005) and choking by 51% (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.26, 0.92; p = 0.03), while significantly increasing dizziness by 98% (RR 1.98; 95% CI 1.11, 3.56; p = 0.02) and there were no significant differences in total adverse events, respiratory depression, and vomiting. TSA demonstrated conclusive evidence for involuntary movements and dizziness. Low-dose analysis showed that esketamine at ≤0.3 mg/kg significantly reduced recovery time, propofol consumption and involuntary movements, and significantly increasing mean heart rate, with no increase in dizziness. The Begg\'s test (p = 0.327) and the Egger\'s test (p = 0.413) indicated no significant publication bias, yet the funnel plot suggested potential publication bias.
UNASSIGNED: Esketamine is an effective adjuvant anesthesia for children undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. However, the general dose of esketamine may increase the risk of dizziness, which can be avoided by administering a low dose (≤0.3 mg/kg).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impacts of remimazolam tosilate on gastrointestinal hormones and motility in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation.
METHODS: A total of 262 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status I or II patients, aged 18-65 years, scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation, were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 131 each): the remimazolam tosilate group (Group R) and the propofol group (Group P). Patients in Group R received 0.2-0.25 mg/Kg remimazolam tosilate intravenously, while those in Group P received 1.5-2.0 mg/kg propofol intravenously. The gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed when the Modified Observer\'s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scores were ≤3. The primary endpoints included the endoscopic intestinal peristalsis rating by the endoscopist; serum motilin and gastrin levels at fasting without gastrointestinal preparation (T0), before gastrointestinal endoscopy (T1), and before leaving the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (T2); and the incidences of abdominal distension during Post Anesthesia Care Unit.
RESULTS: Compared with Group P, intestinal peristalsis rating was higher in Group R (P < .001); Group R showed increased motilin and gastrin levels at T2 compared with Group P (P < .01). There was a rise in motilin and gastrin levels at T1 and T2 compared with T0 and at T2 compared with T1 in both groups (P < .01). The incidence of abdominal distension was lower in Group R (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with propofol used during gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation, remimazolam tosilate mildly inhibits the serum motilin and gastrin levels, potentially facilitating the recovery of gastrointestinal motility.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of remimazolam against normal saline (placebo) as a sedative agent for endoscopy in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, investigator-initiated phase III controlled trial.
METHODS: We included 48 Japanese patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. For the procedure, an initial remimazolam dose of 3 mg and additional doses of 1 mg were administered, as determined in the phase II clinical study. The primary study end-point was the successful sedation rate during gastrointestinal endoscopy, determined as a Modified Observer\'s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score ≤4 before the start of endoscopy, the completion of gastrointestinal endoscopy, and two or fewer additional doses per 6 min.
RESULTS: The successful endoscopy sedation rates were 91.9% and 9.1% in the remimazolam and placebo groups, respectively (P < 0.01). The time from the end of endoscopy to arousal was 0.0 (0.0-0.0) min for both groups. The number of additional doses required to achieve sedation was lower in the remimazolam group than that in the placebo group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam demonstrated a significantly higher sedation effect during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japanese patients with safe and fast recovery compared with placebo.

To assess the efficacy of an ECG-based method called thoracic impedance pneumography to reduce hypoxic events in endoscopy.
This was a single center, 1:1 randomized controlled trial.
The trial was conducted during the placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).
173 patients who underwent PEG placement were enrolled in the present trial. Indication was oncological in most patients (89%). 58% of patients were ASA class II and 42% of patients ASA class III.
Patients were randomized in the standard monitoring group (SM) with pulse oximetry and automatic blood pressure measurement or in the intervention group with additional thoracic impedance pneumography (TIM). Sedation was performed with propofol by gastroenterologists or trained nurses.
Hypoxic episodes defined as SpO2 < 90% for >15 s were the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were minimal SpO2, apnea >10s/>30s and incurred costs.
Additional use of thoracic impedance pneumography reduced hypoxic episodes (TIM: 31% vs SM: 49%; p = 0.016; OR 0.47; NNT 5.6) and elevated minimal SpO2 per procedure (TIM: 90.0% ± 8.9; SM: 84.0% ± 17.6; p = 0.007) significantly. Apnea events >10s and > 30s were significantly more often detected in TIM (43%; 7%) compared to SM (1%; 0%; p < 0.001; p = 0.014) resulting in a time advantage of 17 s before the occurrence of hypoxic events. As a result, adjustments of oxygen flow were significantly more often necessary in SM than in TIM (p = 0.034) and assisted ventilation was less often needed in TIM (2%) compared with SM (9%; p = 0.053). Calculated costs for the additional use of thoracic impedance pneumography were 0.13$ (0.12 €/0.11 £) per procedure.
Additional thoracic impedance pneumography reduced the quantity and extent of hypoxic events with less need of assisted ventilation. Supplemental costs per procedure were negligible.
thoracic impedance pneumography, capnography, sedation, monitoring, gastrointestinal endoscopy, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

OBJECTIVE: Efforts have been made to develop an endoscopic screening system incorporating serologic gastric cancer (GC) risk stratification (ABC classification) alongside annual population-based GC screening using barium. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare GC detection rates between the Ba-Endo group, which underwent annual barium tests for primary screening followed by detailed endoscopic examinations, and the ABC-Endo group, where endoscopy intervals were determined based on individual gastric cancer risk in the ABC classification.
METHODS: In total, 1206 individuals from Yurihonjo and Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture, were randomized through the minimization method using sex and age as allocation factors. The intervention study was conducted for both groups over 5 years. The Ba-Endo group received annual barium tests, and the ABC-Endo group underwent EGD at different intervals: group A, EGD only at entry; group B, EGD once every 3 years; group C, EGD once every 2 years; and group D, EGD every year.
RESULTS: There were 24 detected GC lesions, with a GC detection rate of 1.9%. GC detection rates in the Ba-Endo and ABC-Endo groups were 2.0% and 1.8%, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (P = 1.0). However, the rate of GC cured by endoscopic resection alone was 41.6% in the Ba-Endo group and was significantly higher at 90.9% in the ABC-Endo group (P = .02).
CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences between the Ba-Endo and ABC-Endo groups in GC detection rates. However, the rate of detected GCs that could be cured by endoscopic resection alone was significantly higher in the ABC-Endo group. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000005962.).