Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
MJ, L., S, F., M, P., C, B., JM, C., L, M., T, A., J, S., & J, A. (2026). Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.. Pulmonology. https://doi.org/10.1080/25310429.2026.2691458
MJ L, S F, M P, C B, JM C, L M, et al. Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.. Pulmonology. 2026; doi: 10.1080/25310429.2026.2691458
MJ L, S F, M P, et al. Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.[J]. Pulmonology. 2026. DOI: 10.1080/25310429.2026.2691458.
@article{mj2026,
author = {Lúcio MJ and Ferreira S and Pereira M and Barata C and Correia JM and Mota L and Abreu T and Semedo J and Aljazeeri J},
title = {Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.},
journal = {Pulmonology},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1080/25310429.2026.2691458},
note = {PMID: 42313074},
}
TY - JOUR AU - Lúcio MJ AU - Ferreira S AU - Pereira M AU - Barata C AU - Correia JM AU - Mota L AU - Abreu T AU - Semedo J AU - Aljazeeri J TI - Remimazolam for sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. T2 - Pulmonology PY - 2026 DO - 10.1080/25310429.2026.2691458 AN - PMID:42313074 ER -
BACKGROUND: Remimazolam is a novel benzodiazepine increasingly used for procedural sedation and general anaesthesia. Its role in clinical use in flexible bronchoscopy remains under investigation. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of remimazolam in adults undergoing flexible bronchoscopy. METHODS: This meta-analysis followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library identified randomised controlled trials (RCT)comparing remimazolam with other sedatives. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs including 2,243 patients were analysed. Procedural success was higher with remimazolam compared with overall sedatives (RR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.19; p = 0.02). Remimazolam significantly reduced the risk of respiratory depression (risk ratio [RR] = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.25-0.69; p = 0.0007), hypoxaemia (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.95; p = 0.03), hypotension (RR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.35-0.77; p = 0.001), and bradycardia (RR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.21-0.69; p = 0.002). Compared with midazolam, remimazolam had a faster onset, though not statistically significant. Compared with dexmedetomidine, it showed significantly faster onset (MD = -2.16 min, 95% CI: -2.65 to -1.67; p < 0.00001) and shorter recovery (MD =-1.84 min; 95% CI: -3.31 to -0.37; p = 0.01). Compared with propofol, it had lower rates of hypotension, hypoxaemia, and injection pain. CONCLUSION: Remimazolam is a safe and effective alternative for bronchoscopy sedation, offering improved cardiopulmonary safety and favourable procedural characteristics.