Is there any difference between oral preemptive pregabalin vs. placebo administration on response to EBUS-TBNA under sedation?

Background/aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of preemptive oral pregabalin on hemodynamic response, anxiety, sedation, and recovery in patients who underwent endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) under sedation with intravenous ketamine-propofol combination. Materials and methods: Sixty patients were included in this study, and patients were randomly divided into two equal groups to receive the placebo (Group 1) versus pregabalin 150 mg (Group 2) one hour prior to EBUS- TBNA procedure. Patients received 0.25 mg kg-1 ketamine and 0.25 mg kg-1 propofol mixture (ketofol) for sedation. Timing of the parameters was defined as follows; T0: in hospital ward before pregabalin or placebo administration, T1: premedication, T2: in operating room, T3: before the procedure, T4: initiation, T5: 3 min after induction, T6: 6 min after induction, T7: 9 min after induction, and T8: 12 min after induction. Hemodynamic parameters, severity of coughing, sedation and anxiety scores, and complications were recorded. The level of satisfaction of the bronchoscopist and the patients were evaluated at the end of the procedure. Results: The heart rate and mean arterial pressure were significantly higher in Group 1 (P = 0.008, P = 0.04). Total doses of anesthetics, recovery time, and desaturation rate were significantly higher in Group 1 (P = 0.014, P = 0.001, P = 0.045). In Group 2, SpO2 level was significantly higher at various time periods (T1; P = 0.025, T4; P =0.043, T6; P = 0.001, T7; P = 0.003, T8; P < 0.001). The severity of coughing was found significantly lower in Group 2 (T4; P = 0.011, T5; P = 0.01, T6; P = 0.02, T7; P = 0.03, T8; P < 0.01). Anxiety scores were significantly lower in Group 2 (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Preemptive oral pregabalin, in addition to sedation with ketamine-propofol combination, was effective in providing limited hemodynamic response, restricted coughing reflex, and lower anxiety during EBUS-TBNA. Besides, with pregabalin usage, decreased anesthetics consumption, lower complication rate, and shorter recovery time might have contributed to safety of the procedure and comfort of the bronchoscopist.