Abstract
A phase 2, single-blinded, randomized, multicentre trial was conducted to compare recovery times from anaesthesia between patients induced with a new short-acting benzodiazepine Ro 48-6791 (Hoffman-La Roche, Sydney, N.S. W.) or propofol. Seventy-six patients were randomly allocated to receive either Ro 48-6791 or propofol for induction followed by a standardized anaesthetic. Alertness and ambulatory function during recovery were scored by a rater blinded to treatment group. Mean time to awakening was longer for the Ro 48-6791 group (15 min), compared with propofol (7 min, P<0.001), as was mean time to full clinical recovery (116 min vs 75 min respectively, P=0.002). Both groups showed similar cardiovascular stability following induction, but shorter apnoea times were demonstrated for Ro 48-6791 (48s vs 133, P<0.001). The longer recovery times with Ro 48-6791 would make this drug a less suitable sole induction agent than propofol for routine use in day stay surgery. Further studies of Ro 48-6791 should pay particular attention to the effect of dose reduction on recovery profile.