title: The respiratory depression of epidural morphine. Time course and effect of posture.
abstract: In order to investigate the time course of the late respiratory depression which has been reported following epidural opiates, the response to CO2 was measured in 11 patients. Epidural morphine 2 mg was given 1 hour after operation under bupivacaine epidural anaesthesia, and the patients nursed supine. The results show a consistent pattern of respiratory depression commencing at approximately 48 hours, and continuing until 18-24 hours after administration of morphine. A similar group of 10 patients nursed in a sitting position did not show the same degree of depression, and a modifying effect of posture on the development of central effects is suggested.
mesh_terms: D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004824:Epidural Space; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011187:Posture; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D009020:Morphine