RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: We measured changes in cardiopulmonary function of elderly patients during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to examine the effects of antispasmodics. METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted on 174 subjects older than 60 years (101 male and 73 female, mean age 71.0). Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the antispasmodic used for pre-medication: 76 received recombinant glucagon (Group G); 63 scopolamine butylbromide (group B); and 35 had no antispasmodic (group N). After informed consent a pulse oximeter was used to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation at five points during the endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Maximum heart rate increase and oxygen saturation decrease occurred in all groups when the endoscope passed through the esophago-cardiacjunction. Heart rate was significantly higher in group B than G or N after administration of antispasmodic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Scopolamine butylbromide should be administered with caution in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of elderly patients because it may increase cardiac load.