Remimazolam Sedation for Nerve Blocks

Nerve blocks are short, mildly stimulating procedures that result in no increase in pain post-procedurally. They are often performed at our institution with sedation, typically midazolam with or without fentanyl.

Remimazolam is an intravenous sedative agent FDA approved for procedural sedation.

Remimazolam is an intravenous sedative agent FDA approved for procedural sedation. It has been shown to be safe and effective in outpatient colonoscopy and has demonstrated a faster recovery to neuropsychiatric function compared to midazolam.[i] It also has demonstrated decreased rates of hypotension and faster recovery time when compared to midazolam.i For high risk colonoscopies, similar rates of bradycardia and blood pressure changes have been found; and remimazolam was shown to be safe and short acting.[ii] For bronchoscopies, remimazolam continues to demonstrate faster return to neuropsychiatric function when compared to midazolam, as well as a safety profile equivalent to midazolam.[iii]

With a safety profile equivalent to midazolam but a much shorter duration of effect, it is a natural choice for a short, mildly stimulating procedures such as nerve blocks.

Patients will be identified by providers and study personnel according to inclusion and exclusion criteria by reviewing electronic charts of patients who will be receiving nerve blocks. Once identified as a possible pre-op block or re-block, then the patients will be approached and asked if they wish to participate in the study. Patient will be screened by chart review and questioning for allergies to remimazolam or dextran 40 and will be excluded if allergy is present.

After patients are identified by providers or study personnel as meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria on the day of surgery, they will be approached and asked if they wish to participate in the study. If they choose to participate, then a provider or study personnel will perform the informed consent process.

BYFAVO (remimazolam) for injection is a benzodiazepine indicated for the induction and maintenance of procedural sedation in adults undergoing procedures lasting 30 minutes or less. For this study, remimazolam will be used according to its FDA approval, for procedural sedation in adults undergoing procedures lasting 30 minutes or less: peripheral nerve blocks, catheters, plane blocks, or epidural procedures. Route: Intravenous.

The nerve block will then be performed under standard conditions with standard monitors. Remimazolam will be used for sedation following the guidelines on the label.

Dosing will be as follows:

Induction of Procedural Sedation For adult patients: Administer 5 mg intravenously over a 1-minute time period. For ASA* III and IV patients: Administer 2.5 mg to 5 mg intravenously over 1 minute based on the general condition of the patient.

Maintenance of Procedural Sedation (as needed) For adult patients: Administer 2.5 mg intravenously over 15 seconds. At least 2 minutes must elapse prior to administration of any supplemental dose.

For ASA III and IV patients: Administer 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg intravenously over 15 seconds.

At least 2 minutes must elapse prior to administration of any supplemental dose.

MOASS scores will be assessed at baseline and frequently until 3 consecutive 5's are observed. The patient will be monitored until they have scored three consecutive 5's on the MOASS scale and their vital signs are stable. Any additional required sedative medications will be recorded, as will vital signs and side effects.

Supplemental oxygen may be administered as needed.

Patients are not eligible to participate in the study more than once.

[i] Rex, D. K., Bhandari, R., Desta, T., DeMicco, M. P., Schaeffer, C., Etzkorn, K., et al. (2018). A Phase III Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Remimazolam (CNS 7056) Compared with Placebo and Midazolam in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy. Gastrointest. Endosc. 88 (3), 427-437.e6. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2018.04.2351

[ii] Rex, D. K., Bhandari, R., Lorch, D. G., Meyers, M., Schippers, F., and Bernstein, D. (2021). Safety and Efficacy of Remimazolam in High Risk Colonoscopy: A Randomized Trial. Dig. Liver Dis. 53 (1), 94-101. doi:10.1016/j.dld.2020.10.039

[iii] Pastis, N. J., Yarmus, L. B., Schippers, F., Ostroff, R., Chen, A., Akulian, J., et al. (2019). Safety and Efficacy of Remimazolam Compared with Placebo and Midazolam for Moderate Sedation during Bronchoscopy. Chest 155 (1), 137-146. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2018.09.015

Inclusion criteria

• Age greater than or equal to 18 years.
• Will be receiving a pre-operative nerve block (single shot nerve block, nerve block catheter, plane block, epidural, etc.) or a re-block (a nerve block performed for pain control at least one day after surgery) from a qualified APS team member.

Exclusion criteria

• Age less than 18 years.
• Clinical instability or other condition preventing nerve block or sedation.
• Pregnancy.
• Inability to communicate quickly and efficiently their level of perceived sedation.
• Allergy to remimazolam or dextran 40.