Doxapram shortens recovery following sevoflurane anesthesia.
OBJECTIVE
A randomized, double blind controlled trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of doxapram on recovery times and bispectral index following sevoflurane anesthesia.


METHODS
Upon completion of surgery under sevoflurane anesthesia, 60 adult patients were randomly allocated to receive either doxapram hydrochloride 1 mg.kg(-1) iv or saline placebo. Clinical recovery from anesthesia was assessed by time to eye opening on verbal command, hand squeezing on command, time to extubation, and the Aldrete recovery score. Bispectral index values, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded at baseline (before anesthesia), during surgery, and every minute for 15 min after administration of the study drug.


RESULTS
Time to eye opening was shorter in the doxapram group compared with the control group (6.9 +/- 2.2 min vs 9.9 +/- 3.1 min, P < 0.05). Mean bispectral index scores were also higher in the doxapram group compared with the saline placebo seven to eight minutes following administration of the study medication (P < 0.05). More rapid emergence was associated with a greater increase in heart rate with doxapram (P < 0.05 compared with placebo), but no differences in systolic blood pressure responses were observed in comparison with placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that doxapram 1 mg.kg(-1) hastens early recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia, and this arousal effect correlates with higher bispectral index values.
Wu
Chi-Chen
CC
Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 252 Wu-Hsin Street, Taipei, Taiwan 110.
Mok
Martin S
MS
Chen
Jui-Yuan
JY
Wu
Gong-Jhe
GJ
Wen
Yeong-Ray
YR
Lin
Chao-Shun
CS
D000328:Adult; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004315:Doxapram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013997:Time Factors
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D010919:Placebos; D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D004315:Doxapram