title: The efficacy and safety of continuous intravenous administration of remifentanil for birth pain relief: an open study of 205 parturients.
abstract: In an observational study, we prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of remifentanil in 205 parturients. Remifentanil was administered as a continuous infusion. The initial infusion of 0.025 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) was increased in a stepwise manner to a maximum dose of 0.15 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1). Maternal pain, other maternal and fetal variables, side effects, and satisfaction were recorded. The mean (+/-sd) visual analog score before the start of the infusion was 9.4 +/- 1.2 cm and decreased to 5.1 +/- 0.4 cm after 5 min and 3.6 +/- 1.5 cm after 30 min. The maternal side effects were minimal and no fetal or neonatal side effects were noted.
authors.affiliation: SOD Anestesia DAI Materno-Infantile, AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 17, Firenze, Italia. paodono@libero.it
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Onofrio
authors.forename: Anna Maria Melani
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Novelli
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mecacci
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scarselli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077208:Remifentanil; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil