Abstract:Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol in the examination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the patients with schizophrenia. Methods Totally 100 schizophrenia patients, who had MRI examination in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from December 2015 to October 2016, were randomly divided into Dexmedetomidine group (group A) and Propofol group (group B). Heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate and oxygen saturation were monitored before and after injection of loading dosage of the corresponding anesthetic. Drug onset time, awakening time, pump injection time, MRI scan time and time leaving the recovery room were observed and recorded. Results There was no significant difference in the pump injection time or the MRI scan time between the two groups (P > 0.05), while significant differences were observed in the drug onset time, the awakening time and the time leaving the recovery room (P < 0.05). Heart rate and blood pressure of both groups at T2 were significantly lower than those at T1 (P < 0.05). In the group B, the oxygen saturation at T2 was significantly lower than that at T1 (P < 0.05). After medication, the degree of decrease in breathing rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen saturation in the group B was more obvious than that in the group A, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the group B, 1 case had respiratory depression before entering the MRI room, and the symptom disappeared after the maxillary jaw treatment. No adverse effects were observed in either group. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine and Propofol are safe and effective for uncooperative schizophrenia patients who need MRI scan. Propofol can be used in the patients requiring rapid sedation, Dexmedetomidine has no breath inhibition role in the sedation process, but for both drugs, we should pay attention to the influence on the circulatory system.