Sedation with oral benzodiazepines in dental practice in cardiac patients

Abstract

There are different types of sedation used for performing medical and dental procedures. The medications most commonly used for this purpose are benzodiazepines, which are considered safe and effective in the hospital or outpatient dental practice. However, in dental clinical practice, they are underutilized, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to address the use of benzodiazepines as oral sedatives, their indications, contraindications, and peculiarities, as well as their correlation with cardiac patients, through a literature review. Sedation or minimum anxiolysis is a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands and airway reflexes, while respiratory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. The beneficial effects of benzodiazepines include reduced anxiety, sleep induction and maintenance, muscle relaxation, and treatment and prevention of epileptic seizures. Benzodiazepines are indicated for patients with anxiety but should be used with caution in patients with serious illnesses, pregnancy or using other central nervous system depressants. Its use in cardiac patients is safe and effective because it reduces the hemodynamic function. It is important for the dentist to know and use this class of medications, improving the quality of care for the cardiac patient.