A thirty-horse trial compared maintenance strategies rather than the effect of midazolam itself.
All horses received medetomidine and midazolam sedation followed by a common induction pathway. They were then allocated to medetomidine alone or medetomidine with one of two propofol infusion rates during sevoflurane anesthesia. Propofol-containing strategies reduced the sevoflurane requirement and dobutamine support. Recovery time and quality did not differ significantly across groups.
At the higher infusion rate, plasma propofol increased with maintenance duration; concentrations were more stable at the lower rate.
The trial did not vary midazolam and cannot identify its independent contribution. Less inhaled anesthetic did not automatically mean faster or better measured recovery. Selected Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopy also represent a narrow veterinary setting.
For interpretation, separate premedication, induction, maintenance, supportive drugs, and recovery. This paper provides a specific regimen comparison and a duration-related propofol observation. It does not establish a benzodiazepine safety ranking, human dosing, or a universal relationship between total anesthetic exposure and recovery quality.
Original analysis of the supplied journal article, identified as PMC6217774.