title: Efficacy and side effects of intravenous remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia used in a stepwise approach for labour: an observational study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Remifentanil has a suitable pharmacological profile for labour analgesia. In this prospective, observational study, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with remifentanil, using stepwise bolus doses without background infusion, was examined during the first and second stages of labour. Outcomes were pain reduction, maternal satisfaction, maternal and neonatal side effects and remifentanil metabolism in the neonate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Parturients with normal term singleton pregnancies were recruited. The initial remifentanil bolus dose was 0.15 μg/kg, increasing in steps of 0.15 μg/kg, with a 2-min lock-out. Pain scores using a 100 mm visual analogue scale, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respiratory rate and maternal sedation were recorded every 15 min. Maternal oxygen saturation and heart rate were monitored continuously. Neonatal data included Apgar scores, clinical examination, naloxone use, resuscitation, umbilical cord blood gases and remifentanil concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one parturients were enrolled. Pain scores were significantly reduced in the first 3 h of patient-controlled analgesia use compared to baseline, and at the end of the first and second stages of labour (P<0.05). Maximal pain reduction was 60% (P<0.01). One patient had inadequate pain relief and converted to epidural analgesia. The mean highest dose of remifentanil was 0.7 μg/kg [range 0.3-1.05]. Ninety-three percent of patients were satisfied with their analgesia. The lowest oxygen saturation was 91% and the lowest respiratory rate was 9 breaths/min. Eleven parturients (27%) received supplemental oxygen due to oxygen saturations <92%. Maternal sedation was moderate, and neonatal data reassuring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Remifentanil intravenous patient-controlled analgesia provides adequate pain relief and high maternal satisfaction during the first and second stages of labour. Maternal sedation and respiratory depression may occur, but no serious neonatal side effects were recorded. Careful monitoring is mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Sørlandet Hospital Kristiansand, Norway. tor.tveit@sshf.no
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Tveit
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rosland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001034:Apgar Score; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077208:Remifentanil; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil