Effect of Midazolam on Sedation and Hemorheology in Elderly Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

*Corresponding Author:

Lingling Wen
Department of Intensive Care Unit
Hunan Cancer Hospital
Hunan, Changsha 410013, China
E-mail: 6100936@qq.com

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Abstract

To explore the effect of midazolam in the treatment of senile acute cerebral infarction is the main objective. the patients were divided into observation group (n=55) and control group (n=55) by envelope method, the control group was given routine treatment, the observation group was given midazolam on the basis of the control group, the time required for sedation, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and so on were observed. There was no significant difference in sedation time between the observation group and the control group (p>0.05). The awakening time of the observation group was (8.10±1.54) min, which was significantly shorter than that of the control group (p<0.05). The mean arterial pressure and heart rate of the observation group before anesthesia induction (T1) and 30 min after anesthesia (T2) were (92.02±3.05) mmHg and (91.14±2.93) mmHg, (87.70±4.82) times/min and (83.02±5.01) times/min, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.05). The blood oxygen difference [D (a-jv) O₂] and cerebral oxygen uptake rate (ERO₂) at T1 and T2 in the observation group were (4.56±0.67) and (3.02±0.82), (20.20±6.73) % and (16.80±4.11) %, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). The scores of mini-mental state examination at 1 d and 3 d after operation in the observation group were (25.11±2.10) and (26.04±1.92), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). The serum C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group at 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after operation (p<0.05). Midazolam has a good sedative effect in the elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction, reducing brain oxygen metabolism and stabilizing hemorheology.

Keywords

Midazolam, acute cerebral infarction, sedation, hemorheology

Acute cerebral infarction is a common clinical disease caused by thrombosis and arteriosclerosis in cerebral vessels. Local ischemic necrosis of brain tissue is easy to cause infarction[1,2]. The brain tissue is characterized by low Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) reserve, high metabolism and high oxygen consumption and the brain tissue is the most hypoxic tissue in the body[3]. Once there is insufficient blood supply in the brain, the normal brain cells and tissues will also be affected, secondary damage occurs and a vicious cycle forms[4]. After cerebral vascular occlusion, the ability of brain to absorb oxygen increased and the amount of brain oxygen decreased significantly. Due to the insufficient cardiopulmonary compensatory ability of elderly patients, severe edema and necrosis occurred in the cerebral ischemic area in a short time[5,6]. Midazolam is a kind of benzodiazepines with strong water solubility. Its therapeutic effect has been clinically recognized. It is commonly used as an anticonvulsant and for sedative effect in clinic. However, there are few studies on the role of midazolam in patients with acute cerebral infarction[7,8]. This study aims to explore the application effect of midazolam in the treatment of elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Materials and Methods

General information:

Selected 110 elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction treated in our hospital from May 2015 to May 2020. Inclusion criteria: Comply with the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of acute ischemic stroke in China (2014)[9] formulated by Neurology Branch of Chinese Medical Association and confirmed by Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI); patients aged ≥60 y; informed consent of family members of patients. Exclusion criteria: Combined with other important organ diseases such as liver and kidney Malignant Tumors and immune system diseases; have a history of mental illness. The patients were divided into the observation group (n=55) and the control group (n=55) by envelope method and the general data of the two groups were compared (Table 1).

Table 1: Comparison of General Data of the Two Groups

Treatment and anesthesia methods:

Methods: The control group was treated with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride injection (Chinese medicine standard word H20110085). Manufacturer: Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd pump speed is 0.2~0.7 μg/kg/min, continuous 30 min. Administered edaravone injection (H20050280). Manufacturer: Nanjing Xiansheng Dongyuan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Specification: 30 mg: 20 ml/branch) 1 edaravone injection dissolved in 100 ml normal saline, twice a day for patients with intravenous drip. Oral administration of atorvastatin calcium tablets (Chinese medicine standard word H20051407). Manufacturer: Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), 20 mg each time, once/night. Antiplatelet aggregation, inhibition of brain edema and improvement of brain cell nutritional metabolism and other nutritional support were routinely used.

The observation group was given midazolam intravenous sedation on the basis of conventional treatment. The first dose of 2~5 mg was infused at the rate of 0.03~0.3 mg/kg for 20~30 s and then intermittent administration was performed 2 min later to achieve satisfactory deep sedation. The depth of sedation was evaluated by Ramsay score. When the score reached grade 3 and 4, it was considered to be sufficient sedation and the intravenous drip rate was maintained at 0.03~0.2 mg/ (kg/h).

Test method:

The Heart Rate (HR) and Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) during T1 and T2 were observed and recorded by a multifunctional detector. The time required for sedation in the observation group and the control group was observed. The multi-parameter Electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor was used to monitor the arterial oxygen content (CaO₂) and internal jugular venous oxygen content (CjvO₂) of ECG and D (a-jv) O₂=CaO₂- CjvO₂ [10]. Brain oxygen uptake rate (ERO₂)=D (a-jv) O₂/ CaO₂ [11]. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate the postoperative cognitive function of patients. The total score was 30 and the score <27 were divided into cognitive dysfunction.

On the 1^st, 3^rd and 7^th d after operation, 3 ml fasting venous blood was collected and centrifuged at 2000 r/min for 10 min. The supernatant was collected to obtain the serum to be tested. The levels of serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The ELISA kit was purchased from R&D Company of the United States. The standard substance was prepared according to the instructions of the kit. The absorbance value of the standard substance was measured under the microplate reader. The standard curve was plotted with the standard substance concentration as the abscissa and the absorbance value as the ordinate. Then the sample to be tested was subjected to gradient dilution and the absorbance value of the sample hole was measured under the same conditions. The absorbance value of the sample hole was substituted into the standard curve to obtain the concentration of the sample to be tested.

Statistical treatment:

Statistical Package For The Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 software was used for data analysis. MAP, HR and other data were expressed as (x̄±s). Repeated measures, analysis of variance or t test was used to compare the differences between groups. Gender and other data were expressed as n (%), 2 tests was used to analyze the difference between groups. p<0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.

Results and Discussion

Sedative effect of the two groups was compared. The time difference between the observation group and control group was not significant (p>0.05); the wake up time after withdrawal in the observation group was (8.10±1.54) min, was significantly shorter than the control group (p<0.05) (Table 2).

Table 2: Comparison of the Sedation Effects of the Two Groups

MAP, HR in different periods was compared. The T1, T2 period MAP, HR was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05); no statistical difference in the T0 period MAP, HR comparison (p>0.05) (Table 3).

Table 3: Comparison of MAP, HR in Two Groups of Different Periodss

Brain oxygen metabolism in two groups in different periods was compared. The T1, T2-period D (a-jv) O₂ and ERO₂ were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05); the T0-period D (a-jv) O₂ and ERO₂ and control groups (p>0.05) (Table 4).

Table 4: Comparison of MAP, HR in Two Groups of Different Periods

Postoperative MMSE score between the two groups was compared. The MMSE score was significantly higher at 1 d, 3 d than at controls (p<0.05); no MMSE scores at 7 d between observers and controls (p>0.05) (Table 5).

Table 5: The Postoperative MMSE Score Comparison between the Two Groups

Postoperative CRP, TNF-α level between the two groups was compared. Serum CRP, TNF-α was significantly lower at 1 d, 3 d and 7 d (p<0.05) (Table 6).

Table 6: Comparison of Postoperative CRP and TNF-α in Two Groups

Acute cerebral infarction is a disease with high clinical risk, with high morbidity and mortality. Brain tissue damage causes secondary damage and vicious circle, which will cause more serious damage to brain cells and brain tissue[12]. Studies have shown that when the degree of cerebral vascular occlusion is above the range of cerebral oxygen absorption, the oxygen consumption of brain tissue decreases, the level of lactic acid increases and the ischemic brain tissue appears edema or necrosis[13]. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the tolerance of brain tissue to hypoxia and reduce the damage of ischemic tissue or cells in patients with acute cerebral infarction[14]. Elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction usually have insufficient understanding of things and weak control of the body. After the onset, they are prone to strong anxiety, fear and stress response to the disease itself or the environment (such as elevated blood pressure), which makes some elderly patients have poor tolerance and poor therapeutic effect in the process of retreatment. It is necessary to use sedatives safely and effectively, maintain the patient’s vital signs which are relatively stable, alleviate the ideal state of anxiety.

The results of this study showed that the control group was given conventional treatment, midazolam sedation observation group patients were monitored before treatment, 30 min after treatment with MAP and HR. The MAP and HR in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group before treatment and 30 min after treatment. There was no significant difference in the time required for sedation between the two groups, indicating that both can achieve sedation in a short time. The awakening time of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group. The reason was that midazolam played a role in sedation, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxation by acting on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors in the central nervous system. In addition, midazolam can stabilize respiration and blood pressure to a certain extent and can provide physiological sleep state to the human body, almost without inhibiting respiration, which makes the vital signs of patients remain stable during sedation.

Inhibition of cerebral oxygen metabolism is the self-protection mechanism of the body. Cerebral blood supply and cerebral metabolism constitute the physiological process of cerebral circulation. The two match and work together and cerebral blood supply participates in the process of cerebral metabolism circulation[15]. Quantitative analysis of cerebral blood supply and cerebral metabolism will help to assess the ischemic and hypoxic state of brain tissue and evaluate the therapeutic effect of drugs. The oxygen uptake rate in the brain can quantitatively reflect the degree of brain metabolism and D (a-jv) can be calculated by CaO₂ as the percentage of oxygen inhaled by brain neurons[16]. When cerebral blood flow decreases, the normal metabolic process can only be maintained by increasing the intake of blood oxygen in brain tissue and nerve cells. Therefore, it is necessary to find measures to reduce the content of O₂ in cerebral venous return blood[17]. The results showed that the O₂ and ERO₂ of D (a-jv) at T1 and T2 periods in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The reason may be that under physiological pH conditions, midazolam can quickly enter the central nervous system, interact with γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, enhance its inhibitory effect on neurotransmitters, greatly reduce cerebral blood flow and return to normal levels, thereby reducing intracranial pressure and improving cerebral oxygen metabolism. The results of this study showed that the MMSE scores of the observation group at 1 d and 3 d after operation were significantly higher than those of the control group. There was no significant difference in MMSE scores between the two groups at 7 d after operation. Midazolam can improve the brain blood supply, improve oxygen consumption in the ischemic area, stabilize HR and blood pressure and stabilize the vital signs of patients, thereby enabling patients to have a good mental state.

Inflammatory factors play an important role in acute cerebral infarction. The increase of CRP and TNF-α levels can aggravate the disease[18,19]. In this study, midazolam was given to the elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction for sedation. It was found that the levels of CRP and TNF-α in patients receiving midazolam sedation were lower than those in patients receiving conventional treatment at 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after operation. The reason is that midazolam improves the degree of local inflammatory cascade reaction and reduces the level of inflammatory factors by reducing the level of neurochemotactic protein in cerebrospinal fluid.

The sedative effect of midazolam is significant, which has been proved to be significant in the treatment of many diseases but its application in acute cerebral infarction is rarely studied. In previous studies, when evaluating the sedative effect of midazolam, the changes of cerebral oxygen metabolism indexes were often analyzed, because they could objectively reflect the cerebral metabolism[20]. On this basis, this study also analyzed the changes in the mental state of patients and the indicators of typical inflammatory factors and discussed the sedative mechanism of midazolam in many aspects. In this study, we analyzed that midazolam can reduce the degree of cerebral oxygen metabolism, which is beneficial to restore the blood oxygen supply of damaged brain tissue and improve the inflammatory response of the body. An appropriate amount of sedatives during the treatment can effectively reduce the patient’s fear of disease or environmental changes, reduce the stress of nerve reflex, improve the mental symptoms of patients in the short term and do not affect the respiratory cycle, which is easy to be accepted by patients.

In summary, midazolam has a good sedative effect in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction, which can reduce cerebral oxygen metabolism and stabilize hemorheology.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

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