L Hueter1, K Schwarzkopf, M Simon, D Bredle, H Fritz. 1. Klinik fuer Anesthesiologie und Intensivtherapie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena, Germany. lars.hueter@med.uni-jena.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Myoclonic movements are a common problem during the induction of general anesthesia with etomidate. We investigated the influence of pretreatment with the opioid sufentanil on the incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus. METHODS:Forty female patients (ASA physical status I-III) were randomly assigned to receive double-blinded either 0.3 micro g kg-1 of sufentanil or placebo 150 s before the induction of sleep with 0.3 mg kg-1 of etomidate. The patients were observed for any myoclonic movement. Grade of dizziness, breathing frequency, non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate were measured during the study period. RESULTS: None of the 20 patients receivingsufentanil had myoclonic movements after the administration of etomidate, whereas 16 patients in the placebo group (80%) experienced such movements (P<0.01). No cases of apnoea before induction of sleep were seen in the sufentanil group. CONCLUSION:Sufentanil 0.3 micro g kg-1 is an effective and safe drug to reduce myoclonus after etomidate without causing any harmful side-effect.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND:Myoclonic movements are a common problem during the induction of general anesthesia with etomidate. We investigated the influence of pretreatment with the opioid sufentanil on the incidence of etomidate-induced myoclonus. METHODS: Forty female patients (ASA physical status I-III) were randomly assigned to receive double-blinded either 0.3 micro g kg-1 of sufentanil or placebo 150 s before the induction of sleep with 0.3 mg kg-1 of etomidate. The patients were observed for any myoclonic movement. Grade of dizziness, breathing frequency, non-invasive blood pressure and heart rate were measured during the study period. RESULTS: None of the 20 patients receiving sufentanil had myoclonic movements after the administration of etomidate, whereas 16 patients in the placebo group (80%) experienced such movements (P<0.01). No cases of apnoea before induction of sleep were seen in the sufentanil group. CONCLUSION:Sufentanil 0.3 micro g kg-1 is an effective and safe drug to reduce myoclonus after etomidate without causing any harmful side-effect.