title: The role of etomidate as an anaesthetic induction agent for critically ill patients.
abstract: Etomidate is an anaesthetic induction agent which may be favoured in critically ill patients because of its cardiovascular stability. However, etomidate causes adrenocortical suppression which may be particularly harmful in these patients. This article reviews current evidence and debates the use of etomidate in critical illness.
authors.affiliation: ST6 in Anaesthesia in the Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester M23 9LT.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Consultant Anaesthetist in the Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Washington
mesh_terms: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016638:Critical Illness; D005045:Etomidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D005045:Etomidate