A study of midazolam plasma concentrations in patients undergoing conscious sedation.

We studied midazolam plasma concentrations in patients undergoing middle ear surgery (MES) in local anesthesia and sedation. This study was based on the clinical measurement of the level of sedation and determination of the sedation dose of midazolam. For optimal level of sedation for this type of surgery we suggest the midazolam plasma concentrations with median of 0.03 mg L-1 and range from 0.01-0.10 mg L-1. This can be contrasted to the other studies where considerably higher plasma concentrations of midazolam (0.2 mg L-1) were proposed (S. Michalk et al., Intens. Care Med. 1988, 15, 37-41). Despite low midazolam concentrations the level of sedation was adequate.