Abstract:Objective To investigate the efficacy of cipepofol combined with alfentanil in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, and to compare the effects of cipepofol and propofol on patients' circulatory and respiratory functions as well as adverse reactions. Methods Seventy patients who underwent catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation at HeZe Municipal Hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 were selected as the study subjects. They were divided into a cipepofol group (n= 35) and a propofol group (n=35) using a random number table method. The cipepofol group received intravenous induction with 0.2 mg/kg cipepofol and 3 μg/kg alfentanil, while the propofol group received intravenous induction with 1 mg/kg propofol and 3 μg/kg alfentanil. Surgery-related indicators and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), saturation of peripheral oxygen (SpO₂), and bispectral index (BIS) values were observed at the following time points: upon entering the operating room (T0), at the start of surgery (T1), at the start of radiofrequency ablation (T2), 30 min after radiofrequency ablation (T3), and at the end of surgery (T4). Results The additional dose of alfentanil in the cipepofol group was lower than that in the propofol group [ (3.11± 0.40) μg vs (3.94±0.24) μg, t=10.487, P<0.01]. There was no statistically significant difference in recovery time, time to full alertness, or time to orientation recovery between the two groups (P>0.05). At T1 and T2, the MAP in the cipepofol group was higher than that in the propofol group (P<0.05), while no statistically significant difference was observed at other time points (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in HR and SpO₂ between the two groups (P>0.05). The BIS values in both groups showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. At T1, T2, and T3, the BIS values in the cipepofol group were lower than those in the propofol group, with greater fluctuations (P< 0.05). The incidence of injection pain [8.57% (3/35) vs 57.14% (20/35), χ²=18.714, P<0.01]and intraoperative respiratory depression [28.57% (10/35) vs 54.29% (19/35), χ²=4.769, P=0.029]in the cipepofol group was lower than that in the propofol group. Conclusion Cipepofol combined with alfentanil provides reliable sedation for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, with effects similar to those of propofol. Additionally, it has less impact on circulatory and respiratory functions, along with a lower incidence of injection pain and respiratory depression.