Abstract:Objective To investigate the effects of low dose esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine on vital signs, postoperative recovery and mental activity in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods A total of 150 elderly patients who underwent painless gastroscopy in hospitals from December 2022 to May 2024 were selected and divided into study group (75 cases) and control group (75 cases) by random number table method. The control group was given low dose esketamine combined with propofol, and the study group was given low dose esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) of the two groups were compared at different time points (before anesthesia (T0), when gastroscopy began (T1), when gastroscopy entered the stomach (T2), and when gastroscopy completely withdrew from the mouth (T3), as well as the mental activity test 30 min before examination and when meeting the criteria for leaving the resuscitation room. Recovery time, stay time in resuscitation room and incidence of adverse reactions were analyzed.Results MAP, HR and SpO2 were compared between the study group and the control group at T0, T1, T2 and T3, and the analysis of variance with repeated measurement design was used. The results showed that: (1) There were statistically significant differences in MAP, HR and SpO2 at different time points (P < 0.05). (2) There were significant differences in MAP and HR between the study group and the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in SpO2 between study group and control group (P > 0.05). (3) The change trend of MAP and HR between the study group and the control group was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in SpO2 between the study group and the control group (P > 0.05). The recovery time of the study group was shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the residence time of resuscitation room between the study group and the control group (P > 0.05). The difference values of digital erasability accuracy, insertion time and digital connection time in the study group were lower than those in the control group when they met the standard of leaving the resuscitation room and 30 min before examination (P < 0.05). The incidence of injection pain and the total incidence of adverse reactions in the study group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusions The application of low-dose esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine in painless gastroscopy in elderly patients can maintain stable vital signs, promote awakening and recovery of mental activities, and have fewer adverse reactions.