Safety and Efficacy of Dexmedetomidate vs. Midazolam for Procedural Sedation During Medical Thoracoscopy

The patient will receive dexmedetomidine bolus dose of 1 µg /Kg over 10 minutes followed by 0.5 µg /kg/hr infusion titrated to desired sedation level (RSS 3). For patients who do not achieve an RSS of 3, we will give 1 mg bolus of midazolam. All additional boluses will be recorded. The patient will initially receive a bolus of 2 mL 0.9% normal saline intravenously for blinding purpose

The patient will receive midazolam bolus dose of 2 mg IV. They will receive an infusion of normal saline over 10 minutes for blinding purpose. Further need of sedation (as assessed by RSS) will be met by additional IV boluses of 1 mg midazolam. During the procedure they will receive continuous infusion of normal saline at a rate of 0.5 µg /Kg/Hr as placebo.