Etomidate for procedural sedation in the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To review our experience with etomidate in nonintubated patients in the emergency department.


METHODS
A 2-year retrospective chart review of consecutive patients receiving etomidate for sedation.


METHODS
Emergency department of a university-based teaching hospital.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients who underwent painful procedures in the emergency department.


RESULTS
Demographics, dosing information, recovery times, and adverse events were abstracted using a standardized data collection form. Forty-eight nonintubated patients were sedated with etomidate. Mean age was 34 years (range 6-80 yrs); 38 were men and 10 women; two were children. The mean initial dose of etomidate was 13 mg. Adverse events occurred in 11 (21%) patients. None sustained any substantial morbidity as indicated by need for intubation, prolonged emergency department stay, or hospital admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Although controversial, etomidate holds promise as a potent sedative agent for patients undergoing painful procedures in the emergency department. A large prospective evaluation is needed to document the performance and complications of this agent.
Keim
Samuel M
SM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, USA. sam@aemrc.arizona.edu
Erstad
Brian L
BL
Sakles
John C
JC
Davis
Virgil
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D005045:Etomidate