Combined propofol and remifentanil intravenous anesthesia for pediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.
BACKGROUND
A prospective observational case series of children receiving light general anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Our purpose was to examine the merit of anesthesia and recovery/discharge times of combined remifentanil and propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in spontaneously breathing children.


METHODS
After IRB approval and informed consent, 56 patients receiving Remi/Propofol TIVA (Remifentanil 10 microg.ml(-1) Propofol 10 mg.ml(-1)) were observed. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, endtidal CO(2) (P(E)CO(2)), oxygen saturation and temperature were recorded at the start and finish of anesthesia. In addition, induction and recovery times were noted. Recovery time was from scan completion until discharge from the initial recovery area. Discharge time was from scan completion to discharge home.


RESULTS
Fifty-six patients received Remi/Propofol TIVA. The mean Remi/Propofol recovery and discharge times were 8.9 and 28.2 min, respectively. There was a statistically significant decrease in respiratory rate and increase in CO(2) from the start to the end of the procedure. During the scan, seven patients moved. One patient experienced postprocedure nausea and or vomiting.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of remifentanil and propofol for TIVA may be an effective method of light general anesthesia in pediatric patients undergoing MRI.
Tsui
Ban C H
BC
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. btsui@ualberta.ca
Wagner
Alese
A
Usher
Andrew G
AG
Cave
Dominic A
DA
Tang
Cathy
C
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010880:Piperidines; D015742:Propofol; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077208:Remifentanil
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D015742:Propofol