title: Emergency department procedural sedation with propofol: is it safe?
abstract: Propofol is a sedative agent gaining popularity for Emergency Department Procedural Sedation (EDPS). However, some institutions across the country continue to restrict the use of propofol secondary to safety concerns. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the complication rate of EDPS with propofol. We conducted a prospective, observational, multi-center study of EDPS patients aged > or = 18 years, consenting to procedural sedation with propofol. Eighty-two patients from two Level I trauma centers were enrolled between August 1, 2002 and January 31, 2003. Transient hypoxemia was the only noted sedation complication. Nine patients (11%) had brief hypoxemia. The combined average hypoxemia time was 1.2 min (SD 0.4), and in all instances responded to simple airway maneuvers or increased oxygen concentration. No patient required advanced airway maneuvers such as intubation or even positive pressure ventilation. EDPS with propofol seems to be safe in our population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Hauter
authors.forename: Edward J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Brizendine
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Cordell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol