Korean J Anesthesiol.  2017 Jun;70(3):292-298. 10.4097/kjae.2017.70.3.292.

The effect of triazolam premedication on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia in general anesthesia

• Pyeon T
• Chung S
• Kim I
• Lee S
• Jeong S

• KMID: 2382745
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2017.70.3.292

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Benzodiazepines have been used preoperatively as part of an anesthesia regimen to attenuate the anxiety of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of oral triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia.
METHODS
Ninety patients, aged 20-55 years, were randomly assigned to receive no premedication, or to receive triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg 1 h before anesthesia. Anxiety score, sedation score, blood pressure, heart rate and psychomotor performance were measured on the evening before surgery and on the day of surgery. Additional tests of psychomotor performance were performed in the postanesthesia care unit and on the next day of surgery. The occurrence of amnesia, bispectral index (BIS), recovery profiles and patient satisfaction with overall anesthesia care were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Changes in the anxiety and sedation scores on the day of surgery were not significantly different among groups, whereas the increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly less in both triazolam groups. The triazolam groups both showed a higher incidence of high satisfaction scores (≥ 2). The two triazolam groups also showed similar outcomes, except for a dose-dependent increase in the number of patients with amnesia and BIS values < 90. Delayed recovery from general anesthesia and psychomotor impairment were not observed in the triazolam groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg reduced the hemodynamic changes associated with anxiety, produced potent amnesia, and improved patient satisfaction. We suggest that triazolam can be used effectively as anesthetic premedication in adults.

Keyword

Amnesia; Anxiety; Benzodiazepines; Premedication; Triazolam

MeSH Terms

Adult
Amnesia*
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General*
Anxiety*
Benzodiazepines
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate
Hemodynamics
Humans
Incidence
Patient Satisfaction
Premedication*
Psychomotor Disorders
Psychomotor Performance
Triazolam*
Benzodiazepines
Triazolam