title: Remifentanil in combination with propofol for spontaneous ventilation anaesthesia.
abstract: We have investigated the effect of four doses of remifentanil on the incidence of respiratory depression and somatic response at incision. Remifentanil was administered as a loading dose of 0.125, 0.25, 0.375 or 0.5 microgram kg-1 and at a maintenance infusion rate of 0.025, 0.05, 0.075 or 0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1, respectively, with an infusion of propofol 6 mg kg-1 h-1. Responses occurred in 88% of patients with remifentanil 0.025 microgram kg-1 min-1 compared with 30-40% in the other groups. Respiratory depression after incision increased from 6% with remifentanil 0.025 microgram kg-1 min-1 to 73% with 0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1. Increases in propofol infusion rate to 7.2-8.4 mg kg-1 h-1 produced adequate maintenance of anaesthesia. Reductions in remifentanil doses to 0.025-0.05 microgram kg-1 min-1 resulted in adequate respiration at the end of surgery in 88% of patients. Maintenance infusions of the two drugs for spontaneous ventilation are likely to be in these ranges. However, the ideal loading doses and infusion rates for induction remain to be established.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Anaesthetic Sciences, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Luntley
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Ogg
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shaikh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015742:Propofol; D000077208:Remifentanil; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D015742:Propofol