Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 9/16/2008

Question
I understand that Versed is known to cause amnesia and "a dreamlike" state.  But not always.  Could you point me towards some scientific studies, articles, data etc. that show there are exceptions -that patients can remember everything  -that patients do not dream or imagine occurrences that did not actually happen?
Thank you.

Answer
Hi Steven
I am sure there is a reason for this request. Simple search for awareness and midazolam revelaed this article http://www.cja-jca.org/cgi/content/abstract/43/9/946

It is worth reading around awareness in anaesthesia as it all links in e.g. C. L. Errando, J. C. Sigl, M. Robles, E. Calabuig, J. Garcia, F. Arocas, R. Higueras, E. del Rosario, D. Lopez, C. M. Peiro, et al.
Awareness with recall during general anaesthesia: a prospective observational evaluation of 4001 patients
Br. J. Anaesth., August 1, 2008; 101(2): 178 - 185.

Bottom line is that awareness does happen. The incidence is low but is higher with sedation techniques e.g. those using midazolam in sub anaesthetic doses.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson