Low dose remifentanyl infusion for analgesia and sedation in ventilated newborns.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effects of remifentanyl on mechanically ventilated newborns.


METHODS
Eighteen newborns, mechanically ventilated, were submitted to continuous infusion of R. A pain scale was used to evaluate comfort during mechanical ventilation. Data were collected at T0, T1, Tn, T ext, T post-ext; statistical analysis was performed by Student's t test and Pearson coefficient.


RESULTS
Mean R infusion time was 66.94+/-22.24 h, with mean dose of R 0.146+/-0.038 gamma/kg/min. Mean time to reach comfort was 20+/-13.11 h with a mean infusion of R equal to 0.173+/-0.146 gamma/kg/min; R was 0.18+/-0.039 gamma/kg/min on pressure controlled ventilation and R was 0.09+/- 0.045 gamma/kg/min on assisted ventilation. Statistically significant was considered the decrease in HR as well as the increase of SpO2 at T0 vs 30 min after infusion.


CONCLUSIONS
No adverse effects were observed during and after infusion.
Stoppa
F
F
Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital (IRCCS), Rome, Italy.
Perrotta
D
D
Tomasello
C
C
Cecchetti
C
C
Marano
M
M
Pasotti
E
E
Barbieri
M A
MA
Conti
G
G
Pirozzi
N
N
D000698:Analgesia; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D012121:Respiration, Artificial
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil