Patients aged <60 years or weighing >50 kg were randomly assigned to receive 3 mg intravenous midazolam. In contrast, those aged ≥60 years or with a body weight of <50 kg were assigned 2 mg intravenous.

If adequate sedation was not achieved after the initial sedative administration, additional midazolam (0.5 mg) was administered at intervals of 3-4 min, at the discretion of the physician.

Patients aged <60 years or weighing >50 kg were randomly assigned to receive 5 mg remimazolam. In contrast, those aged ≥60 years or with a body weight of <50 kg were assigned intravenous 3 mg remimazolam.

If adequate sedation was not achieved after the initial sedative administration, additional remimazolam (2.5 mg) was administered at intervals of 3-4 min, at the discretion of the physician.

For induction and maintenance of sedation

The Time for patient to recover Modified Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (MOAA/S) scores to 5 after end of bronchoscopy

MOAA/S scores: 5 = Responds readily to name spoken in normal tone [alert], 4 =Lethargic response to name spoken in normal tone, 3 = Responds only after name is called loudly and/or repeatedly, 2 = Responds only after mild prodding or shaking, 1 = Responds only after painful trapezius squeeze, 0 = Does not respond to painful trapezius squeeze.

MOAA/S scores were assessed by the investigators.

The degree of sedation was measured using the Modified Observer's Alertness/Sedation scale (MOAA/S), and bronchoscopy was performed under adequate sedation (MOAA/S≤3)

Physician satisfaction with sedation was expressed as a score ranging from -5 to 5 after completion of the procedure (-5 = not satisfied at all, 5 = maximally satisfied).