Etomidate and alfentanil infusion for major surgery.
An intravenous infusion of etomidate 125 mg together with alfentanil 5 mg diluted to 50 ml was used to induce and maintain anesthesia in 20 patients undergoing major surgery. A dose of etomidate 0.2 mg/kg, and alfentanil 8 micrograms/kg was used to induce anesthesia, which was initially maintained by one tenth of that dose given each minute by syringe pump. Subsequent dosage was regulated in response to cardiovascular, EEG and EMG changes, with infusion stopped a mean 7.3 min. before the end of surgery. Alcuronium provided muscle relaxation. The technique was clinically successful, with effective anesthesia and rapid recovery. Good monitoring is important for optimal control of intravenous anesthesia. In this series the Datex ABM was used.
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000328:Adult; D015760:Alfentanil; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000379:methods*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005045:Etomidate; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D007093:Imidazoles; D015760:Alfentanil; D005283:Fentanyl; D005045:Etomidate