[Sedation with sevoflurane for magnetic resonance imaging in pediatrics: retrospective study of 5864 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of sevoflurane for sedating pediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging studies.


METHODS
Data were extracted retrospectively from the records of 5864 pediatric patients (aged 0-18 years) who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging studies in our hospital from 1999 to 2004. Sevoflurane was usually administered at high concentrations of up to 7% on induction; after 2 minutes the concentration was reduced. The patient, breathing spontaneously, was kept sedated with a sevoflurane concentration of 1.5% to 2% in a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen.


RESULTS
Optimal sedation was achieved in 5789 (98.72%) of the cases treated. Complications included 11 episodes of vomiting, 53 cases (0.9%) of mild respiratory depression, 6 cases of severe respiratory depression on induction, and 5 cases of agitation. There were no cases of prolonged sedation.


CONCLUSIONS
Sevoflurane is useful for sedating pediatric patients in the setting of this study. Induction is rapid and gentle, and maintained sedation is constant, stable and homogeneous. Awakening and recovery are rapid, and the incidence of complications low.
De Sanctis Briggs
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Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Unìversitario Sagrat Cor. Barcelona, Centro de Diagnóstico Pedralbes, Unidad Esplugues, Cetir Grup Mèdic, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona. 13495vdb@comb.es
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054810:Deep Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010100:Oxygen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen