II. Definitions
- Procedural Sedation and Analgesia (PSAA)
- Replaces the term Conscious Sedation
- Administer Sedatives (e.g. Propofol) or dissociative agents (e.g. Ketamine), with or without Analgesics (e.g. Fentanyl)
- Induce and Altered Level of Consciousness while still preserving cardiopulmonary function
- Minimal Sedation
- Anxiolysis
- Normal response to verbal stimuli
- Near baseline level of alertness
- Coordination or cognition may be impaired
- No Ventilatory depression
- No cardiovascular depression
- Moderate Sedation
- Depressed Level of Consciousness
- Purposeful response to verbal commands or light stimulation
- Drooping Eyelids and slurred speech
- Delayed verbal response
- Often associated with Amnesia around the period of the procedure
- No airway compromise
- No Ventilatory depression
- No cardiovascular depression
- Dissociative Sedation (i.e. Ketamine)
- Deep Sedation
- Depressed Level of Consciousness
- Response only to repeated or painful stimuli
- Ensure airway protection
- Ventilatory depression may occur
- No cardiovascular depression
-
General Anesthesia
- Depressed Level of Consciousness
- Not arrousable to painful stimuli
- Airway and Ventilatory support required
- Cardiovascular depression may occur
III. Indications
- Adult precedural sedation
- Fracture or dislocation reduction
- Significant Wound Debridement
- Rectal Foreign Body
- Endoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Electrical cardioversion
- Child Procedural Sedation
- Fracture or dislocation reduction
- Laceration Repair or Wound Debridement
- Abscess Incision and Drainage
- Imaging studies
- Ear Foreign Body
- Entrapment of penis in zipper
IV. Contraindications
- Significant or unstable cormorbid illness
- ASA Physical Status Classification System 4-5 (caution in Class 3)
V. History
- Last oral intake
- Medications
- Medication Allergies
- Prior reaction to Anesthesia or analgesia
- Serious medical conditions (affecting major organ systems)
- Perform consent
- Procedure intended under Deep Sedation
VI. Exam
- Baseline Vital Signs
- Body weight and height (for dosing)
- Assess for difficult airway
VII. Preparation: Fasting
- Fasting is preferred but not required prior to procedure
- Food intake is not absolute contraindication
- Formal guidelines for elective procedures (per Anesthesia)
- No clear liquids in last 2 hours
- No Breast Milk in 4 hours (or infant formula in 6 hours)
- No food, milk, solids in last 6 hours
- Consider risk factors for pulmonary aspiration
- Advanced age
- Comorbid medical conditions
- Pregnancy
- Gastroesophageal Reflux risks (e.g. Hiatal Hernia, Bowel Obstruction, ileus, Peptic Ulcer Disease)
- Ketamine is associated with peri-procedural Vomiting in up to 28% of children
- Full Stomach
- No evidence to support Vomiting prophylaxis
- May consider Nasogastric Tube at start of procedure (after sedation started)
- No evidence for pre-procedural Antacids, H2 Blockers or Anticholinergics
- However, H2 Blockers or Metoclopramide is often given prophylactically in pregnancy
- Pre-procedural Ondansetron may be considered if higher aspiration risk
- However, no consistent evidence of benefit
- Lee (2014) J Paediatr Child Health 50(7): 557-61 [PubMed]
- Lee (2008) Ann Emerg Med 52(10: 30-4 [PubMed]
- Emergency department guidelines for NPO prior to Procedural Sedation
- Evidence does not support the same NPO guidelines in Emergency Department as for elective procedures
- ACEP guidelines note that recent food intake is not a contraindication to Procedural Sedation
- NPO duration prior to Procedural Sedation does not appear to impact risk of Vomiting or aspiration
VIII. Preparation: Emergency Preparedness
- Requires provider experienced in sedation
- Knowledgeable about Sedatives and monitoring
- Skilled in ABC Management
- Assign one person to monitor and manage Anesthesia and respiratory status (e.g. clinician, RN, RT, Anesthesia)
- Other clinician focuses on the procedure
- Capnography (End-Tidal CO2) may be adequate for monitoring (without additional required staff)
- However, many organizations require one trained practitioner dedicated to monitoring Anesthesia
- Often simple maneuvers are effective for apneic periods
- Chin-lift with or without Jaw Thrust (often clears airway obstruction)
- Apneic Oxygenation (see below)
- Noxious stimulation may stimulate breaths
- Monitoring during procedure
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Automatic cuff cycled at least every 5 minutes
- Continuous waveform End-Tidal CO2 Monitoring (Capnography)
- Commonly used for emergency department Procedural Sedation
- Not required per ACEP guidelines as of 2014
- Significantly increases early detection of repiratory depression and apnea
- Decreased Hypoxia risk by 10-20%
- Alerts to apnea 4-8 minutes before Oxygen Saturation changes
- Supplemental Oxygen delays oxygen desaturation during apnea
- Deitch (2010) Ann Emerg Med 55(3): 258-64 [PubMed]
- May not alter outcomes compared with standard monitoring
- Available as part of a Nasal Cannula type device
- Technique for attaching to Face Mask
- Insert a 14 gauge angiocatheter through holes in Face Mask outflow
- Attach 14 gauge catheter to Capnography
- Commonly used for emergency department Procedural Sedation
- Cardiac monitoring
- Pulse Oximetry
- Not useful for timely diagnosis of apnea if Supplemental Oxygen used
- Identifying apnea during sedation may be delayed as much as 4 minutes using Oxygen Saturation alone
- Use end tidal CO2 for patients on Supplemental Oxygen
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Emergency equipment
- Oxygen Delivery
- Consider High Flow Oxygen for Apneic Oxygenation
- Nasal Cannula 15 L or
- Non-Rebreather Mask
- Start at 15 L before sedation
- Turn to flush rate (50 L)
- Patient instructed to take 6 Vital Capacity breaths (clears nitrogen)
- Start sedation
- Continue flush rate (50 L) oxygen throughout the procedure
- Apply Supplemental Oxygen to all patients undergoing Procedural Sedation
- Supplemental O2 is controversial, as some argue it delays apnea recognition (if not on EtCO2)
- Consider High Flow Oxygen for Apneic Oxygenation
- Airway Suction equipment
- Nasopharyngeal Airway (Nasal Trumpet)
- Bag-valve mask
- Administer a few breaths initially to assure that patients may be supported with with bag-valve mask
- Be ready for airway collapse (e.g. Sleep Apnea patient with a large Tongue)
- Jaw Thrust alone can significantly open the airway
- Assistant may be required to perform Jaw Thrust, while a second provider provides bag-valve-mask
- Consider inserting 2 Nasal Airways (and an Oral Airway may be inserted if no Gag Reflex)
- Intubation equipment
- Resuscitation cart
- Reversal agents
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Only use if not on chronic Benzodiazepines (risk of acute withdrawal and Status Epilepticus)
- Oxygen Delivery
IX. Preparation: Resource Limited Environments (e.g. low and middle income countries)
- See Resource Limited Environment
- Consider alternatives to Conscious Sedation
- Defer non-emergent procedures to the most appropriate available local options
- Local or Regional Anesthesia is preferred
- Consider non-intravenous options as listed below
- Preparation
- Familiarize yourself with locally available medications
- Follow a pre-procedure checklist
- Prepare the evironment
- Adequate lighting
- Clean, organized work area
- Disrobe patient for adequate access
- Alert all staff to remain vigilant throughout procedure
- Assign one person dedicated solely to monitoring during the procedure
- Obtain IV Access
- Infuse crystalloid (NS or LR)
- Consider initial 500 cc or 10-20 cc/kg bolus
- Monitoring equipment as available
- Emergency airway and breathing equipment prepared and ready for use (ideally as above)
- Airway Monitoring
- Maintain airway with Jaw Thrust
- Monitor for airway obstruction
- Nasopharyngeal Airway, suction and intubation equipment should be ready
- Breathing monitoring
- Pulse Oximeter (preferred if available)
- If not available, continuously auscultate Respiratory Rate, volume, rhythm and observe chest rise
- Supplemental Oxygen
- If not available, use bag-valve mask to improve oxygenation by preventing Atelectasis
- Pulse Oximeter (preferred if available)
- Circulation monitoring
- Obtain Blood Pressure every 5 minutes
- Continuous Pulse Oximetry
- If not available, palpate pulse or auscultate heart sounds continuously
- References
- Acker, Koval and Leeper (2017) Crit Dec Emerg Med 31(4): 3-13
X. Preparation: BiPAP or CPAP
- Indications
- Sleep Apnea patient with risk of airway compromise during procedure
- Obesity
- Elderly
- Starting setting (use patient's home settings if known)
- Inspiratory pressure: 10 cm H2O
- Expiratory pressure: 5 cm H2O
- Precautions
- Requires vigilant observation for apnea and aspiration risk
- Suction should be on with attached catheter (e.g. yanker)
- Remove mask immediately and suction for any signs of imminent Vomiting
XI. Protocol: Two phase Approach (Hennepin protocol, per Jim Miner, MD)
XII. Protocol: Difficult IV Access options
XIII. Precautions
- Monitor patient response (grimace, whimper, withdrawal from pain) to procedure
- Maintain awareness of inadequate Anesthesia and analgesia, in addition to standard monitoring
- Young children
- Higher risk of apnea (except with Ketamine)
- Pregnancy
- See Trauma in Pregnancy
- Pregnant patients are higher risk for cardiopulmonary compromise
- Decreased Functional Residual Capacity
- Increased oxygen demand and resting Respiratory Rate
- Baseline relative Hypotension
- Avoid Hypoxia, hypercapnia and Hypotension
- Risk of adverse fetal effects
- Measures to consider
- Supplemental Oxygen
- Intravenous crystalloid fluid (LR) infusion (and consider bolus)
- Vomiting and pulmonary aspiration prophylaxis (e.g. Metoclopramide or H2 Blocker)
- Left lateral decubitus position
- Increases uteroplacental flow and venous return
- Reduce aspiration risk
- Safer Anesthetics and Analgesics in pregnancy
- See Analgesic Medications in Pregnancy
- Avoid Benzodiazepines (e.g. Midazolam)
- Ketamine
- Avoid in maternal Hypertension
- Propofol
- Significant risk of Hypotension
- Other agents to consider
- Nitrous Oxide
- Remifentanil
XIV. Preparations: Sedatives - Ketamine
- Indications
- Preferred Sedative in children (do not use for age <3 months)
- Sedation in a patient with a potentially difficult airway
- Sedation in critically ill patient (where Hypotension risk with Propofol)
- ASA Physical Status Score 2 and 3
- Effects
- Analgesic and Anesthetic properties
- No Muscle relaxation (unlike Propofol)
- IV
- Onset in 1 min, peaks at 1-3 min, dissociation for 15 min, and recovery over 60 min
- Initial
- Adult: 1.0 mg/kg slow IV over 1-2 min
- Child: 1.5 mg/kg slow IV over 1-2 min
- Next
- Administer 1/2 of intial dose every 10 minutes as needed
- IM
- Onset in 3-5 min, peaks at 5-20 min, dissociation for 15-30 min, and recovery over 90-150 min
- Initial: 2-5 mg/kg IM (adult and child)
- Repeat 2 mg/kg IM after 10 min for one dose if needed
- Intranasal Ketamine (not in mainstream use yet as of 2022)
- Analgesia
- Ketamine 1 to 1.5 mg.kg (1/2 in each nostril)
- Onset of action: 10 min
- Procedural Sedation
- Use Ketamine 100 mg/ml if available (maximal nasal dose volume 0.5 ml)
- Dose: 2 to 4 mg/kg intranasally
- Onset of action: 10 min
- Duration: 15-20 min
- Observe for 60 min after procedure
- Efficacy
- Not recommended intranasally for sedation
- Amount delivered intranasally is too low for Anesthesia dosing and onset varies widely
- Anecdotally not as affective as other routes of Ketamine, and Intranasal Fentanyl
- However prior dosing (1 mg/kg) was likely too low for Procedural Sedation
- Not recommended intranasally for sedation
- References
- Graudins (2015) Ann Emerg Med 65(3): 248-54 [PubMed]
- Nordt, Poonai and Ramiakhan in Swadron (2022) EM:Rap 22(3): 5-6
- Analgesia
- Adverse effects
- Peri-procedure Vomiting may occur in up to 28% of children
- Least adverse effects in children of the procedural Sedatives
- Laryngospasm (0.3 to 0.4% of cases, especially children)
- See Laryngospasm on Induction
- See Laryngospasm Notch Maneuver
- Typically transient, but risk of airway obstruction
- Risk of emergence reaction in up to 10-20% (e.g. Agitation)
- Consider concurrent Midazolam in adults (0.03 mg/kg) to counter emergence reaction
- Sener (2011) Ann Emerg Med 57(2):109-114 [PubMed]
- Older data recommends avoiding in Closed Head Injury (risk of Increased Intracranial Pressure)
- Newer data suggests safe in Head Injury
- Hypersalivation
- Anticholinergics (Atropine, glycopyrrolate) are not recommended to dry secretions
- Green (2009) Ann Emerg Med 54(2): 171-80 +PMID:19501426 [PubMed]
- Respiratory drive is typically preserved
- However, transient apnea (10-20 s) may occur with rapid infusion
- Infuse Ketamine slowly (over 1-2 minutes)
XV. Preparations: Sedatives - Propofol
- Indications
- Preferred procedural Sedative in adults for brief procedures
- Rapid "on" and rapid "off" sedation
- Indicated for ASA Physical Status Score 2 (non-hypotensive, stable)
- Use Ketamine or Etomidate instead in patients at risk of Hypotension
- Preferred procedural Sedative in adults for brief procedures
- Relative Contraindications
- Age <6 months or weight <5 kg
- Age >75 years old
- ASA Physical Status Class 3 and above
- Adverse Effects
- Transient Hypotension
- Respiratory depression with Hypoxia or apnea (higher doses, esp. adults)
- Appears safe in pregnancy and Lactation (limited data)
- Safe in soybean and egg allergy
- Effects
- Propofol is primarily Anesthetic
- Peak effect reached in 30-60 seconds with 5-6 minute duration
- Administer concurrent Analgesics (e.g Fentanyl 50 mcg increments)
- Adult
- Initial: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg IV over 20-30 seconds (typically given as smaller increments)
- Obese patients: Consider 0.7 to 0.8 mg/kg for starting dose
- Young patients 1 mg/kg (with 0.5 mg/kg repeat doses)
- Thin young patients: Consider 1.5 mg/kg for starting dose (risk of respiratory depression)
- Frail elderly patients: Consider 20-30 mg IV for starting dose (or 100 - Age)
- Next: 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg IV every 1 to 3 minutes
- Decrease dose in older patients (cummulative required total dose decreases with age)
- Age 18-40 years old: 2 mg/kg total dose
- Age 41-64 years old: 1.7 mg/kg total dose
- Age >64 years old: 1.2 mg/kg total dose
- Patanwala (2013) J Emerg Med 44(4): 823-8 +PMID:23333181 [PubMed]
- Initial: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg IV over 20-30 seconds (typically given as smaller increments)
- Child
- Initial: 1 mg/kg IV (up to 40 mg) over 20-30 seconds (typically given as smaller increments)
- Dose per kilogram typically higher in children than adults for adequate sedation
- Age <3 years: 2 mg/kg
- Older children and teens: 1.5 mg/kg
- Next: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg IV (up to 20 mg) every 1 to 3 minutes as needed
- Initial: 1 mg/kg IV (up to 40 mg) over 20-30 seconds (typically given as smaller increments)
- Typically no respiratory depression at 1 mg/kg dose
- Perform painful procedures immediately following infusion
- Amnestic effect wears off prior to sedation
- Adult
-
Propofol Infusion
- Adult: 100 to 150 mcg/kg/min (6 to 9 mg/kg/h)
- Child: 100 to 250 mcg/kg/min (6 to 15 mg/kg/h)
XVI. Preparations: Sedatives - Etomidate
- Indications
- Indicated for ASA Physical Status Score 2 and 3
- Consider for sedation in hypotensive adult patient (or Ketamine)
- Otherwise Propofol is preferred adult Sedative with greater efficacy, less Myoclonus than Etomidate
- Miner (2007) Ann Emerg Med 49(1): 15-22 [PubMed]
- Adverse Effects
- Myoclonus (20-40% of cases)
- Administer Etomidate slowly over 90 seconds
- Pretreatment
- Fentanyl (or Alfentanil or Sufentanil)
- Alternatively, Magnesium Sulfate or Midazolam may be used as pretreatment
- Adrenal suppression
- Adrenal suppression is typically associated with continuous infusion
- Appears safe for single dose
- Avoid in Sepsis
- Respiratory depression (10% of cases)
- Nausea and Vomiting (at emergence)
- Seizure threshold lowered (avoid in Seizure Disorder)
- Myoclonus (20-40% of cases)
-
Pharmacokinetics
- Onset: 15-30 seconds
- Duration: 3-8 min (up to 15 min)
- Dosing: IV
- Initial: 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg IV
- Repeat 0.05 mg/kg IV every 3-5 minutes as needed
XVII. Preparations: Sedatives - Pentobarbital
- Indicated in brief sedation
- Ideal for CT Head (brief action, Seizure Prophylaxis)
- May be accompanied to CT with RN (low risk of respiratory depression, or other serious adverse effects)
- Observe for Hypotension
- Dose: 2.5 mg/kg IV (may repeat additional 1.25 mg/kg as needed twice)
XVIII. Preparations: Sedatives - Methohexital (Brevital)
- Indications
- Propofol is preferred over Methohexital (but consider as substitute when Propofol is unavailable)
- Consider Methohexital where unable to obtain Intravenous Access (can be given rectally)
- Safe in pregnancy
-
Pharmacokinetics
- Barbiturate with rapid onset of action, and with IV dosing same as IM dosing
- Onset within 30-60 minutes
- Duration 3-5 minutes
- Adverse Effects
- Cardiopulmonary depression
- Follow same precautions as for Propofol
- Respiratory depression (10-22%)
- Hypotension (1-3%)
- Paradoxically lowers Seizure threshold (avoid in Seizure Disorder)
- Contrast to other Barbiturates which are used to a abort Seizures
- Laryngospasm
- Give a full dose (additional Methohexital) to fully supersaturate GABA Receptors
- Otherwise similar management to Ketamine laryngospasm
- See Laryngospasm on Induction
- Other adverse effects
- Cardiopulmonary depression
XIX. Preparations: Sedatives - Ketaphol or Ketafol (Ketamine with Propofol)
- Indications
- Muscle relaxation (e.g. joint dislocation) when Ketamine is the primary Sedative (see sequential sedation below)
- Postulated to reduce risk of Hypotension and apnea of Propofol by cutting dose with Ketamine
- Combined Ketamine and Propofol
- Sequential Ketamine then Propofol (e.g. Muscle relaxation)
XX. Preparations: Sedatives - Midazolam (Versed)
- Indications
- Ideal for procedural anxiolysis rather than sedation (e.g. Lumbar Puncture, Nasogastric Tube placement)
- Other agents are preferred for moderate Procedural Sedation in most cases
- Intranasal Versed in children may allow for imaging, Intravenous Access, Laceration Repair
- Intravenous (onset 2-3 min and lasts 20-30 min, up to 60 min)
- Age 6 months to 5 years
- Initial: 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg IV
- Titrate: Up to 1 mg increments IV every 3 min to max of 0.6 mg/kg
- Age 6 to 12 years
- Initial: 0.025 to 0.05 mg/kg IV
- Titrate: Up to 1 mg increments IV every 3 min to max of 0.4 mg/kg
- Adults (and over age 12 years)
- Initial: 0.02 mg/kg IV (1-2 mg IV)
- Titrate: 1 mg increments IV every 3 min
- Common procedural anxiolysis dose: 1 to 2 mg IV
- Age 6 months to 5 years
- IM (onset 10-20 min and lasts 60-120 min)
- Child: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg
- Adult: 0.07 mg/kg up to 5 mg
- Other routes
- Contraindicated in pregnancy (Category D), and wait at least 4 hours for Breast Feeding
- Commonly used in combination with Fentanyl
- Unpredictable at increased doses (risk of respiratory and cardiovascular depression)
- Reversal: Flumazenil 0.01 mg/kg up to 2 mg over 15 seconds
- Do not use if on longterm Benzodiazepines
XXI. Preparations: Sedatives - Nitrous Oxide
XXII. Preparations: Sedatives - Dexmedotomidine (Precedex)
- Selective alpha-2 Agonist with strong Sedative properties but no Analgesic properties (See Dexmedotomidine)
- Typically used for IV sedation in the Intensive Care unit (e.g. Mechanical Ventilation, severe Alcohol Withdrawal)
- Intranasal: 2-3 mcg/kg
- Onset in 13-25 minutes and duration for 85 minutes (longer in adults)
- Intranasal use rarely causes Bradycardia or Syncope
- Oriby (2019) Anesth Pain Med 9(1): e85227 +PMID:30881910 [PubMed]
XXIII. Preparations: Analgesics - Fentanyl
- Nasal: 2 mcg/kg intranasal (1/2 in each nostril) up to a maximum of 100 mcg
- Onset of analgesia within 10 minutes and duration of 30 minutes
- 2 mcg/kg is equivalent to 0.1 mg/kg Morphine
- Bioavailability: 70%
- Nebulized: 4 mcg/kg in breath activated neb
- As effective as IV Morphine using ultrasonic nebulizer with tight fitting mask
- Farahmand (2014) Am J Emerg Med 32(9):1011-5 +PMID:25027194 [PubMed]
- IV (onset in 1-3 min, lasting 30-60 min)
- Adult: 50 mcg/dose every 3 minutes, titrating to effect
- Child: 1 mcg/kg/dose IV every 3 minutes, titrating to effect
- Age 1-3 years old: 2-3 mcg/kg/dose every 30-60 minutes as needed
- Age 3-12 years old: 1-2 mcg/kg/dose every 30-60 minutes as needed
- Age >12 years old: 0.5-1 mcg/kg/dose every 30-60 minutes as needed
- Reversal: Naloxone
- Adverse effects
- Less Histamine release than with Morphine
- Respiratory depression
- Supplemental Oxygen, Jaw Thrust maneuver, bag-valve mask
- Use lower doses in combination with Midazolam (Versed)
XXIV. Preparations: Analgesics - Morphine
- IV/IM/SC: 0.05 to 0.2 mg/kg every 2-4 hours up to 15 mg (typically given in 2-4 mg increments)
- Intramuscular onset of activity may be delayed as long as 30 minutes
- Adverse Effects
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Consider pretreatment with Antiemetic (e.g. Ondansetron)
- Hypotension
- Consider pretreatment bolus of crystalloid (500 cc or 10-20 cc/kg NS)
- Pruritus and/or rash
- Typically not Allergic Reaction
- Morphine may result in Histamine release
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Reversal: Naloxone
XXV. Preparations: Analgesics - Miscellaneous Agents
-
Oxycodone (immediate release)
- Oral route (better than IM opiods, without significant delay)
- Adults (and over age 12 years) 5-10 mg every 4-6 hours as needed
- Child: 0.05 to 0.3 mg/kg/dose (up to 10 mg) every 4-6 hours as needed
- Reversal: Naloxone
- Oral route (better than IM opiods, without significant delay)
-
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen (Vicodin or Lortab) 2.5 mg/5 ml elixir
- Oral: 0.2 mg/kg (up to 1.25 mg if under age 2 years, and up to 5 mg if age 2-12 years)
- Reversal: Naloxone
-
Ketorolac (Toradol)
- IV/IM: 0.5 mg/kg (up to 30 mg)
XXVI. Preparations: Older agents to avoid (replaced by other agents above)
-
Chloral Hydrate
- Older oral sedation agent similar to Ethanol with GABA-receptor mediated effects
- Rapidly metabolized to the active form, trichloroethanol
- Agitation and Nausea are common
- Common use among pediatric dentists (with case reports of outpatient pediatric deaths)
- Ketamine or oral/intranasal Midazolam are far preferred over oral Chloral Hydrate
XXVII. Management: Disposition
- Continue monitoring until no risk of respiratory depression
- Observe for at least 2 hours if any reversal agent used (e.g. Naloxone, Flumazenil)
- Discharge after patient is alert and back to baseline mental status
- Give Discharge Instructions
- Family or friend should observe the patient for several hours after discharge
- Patients may expect Nausea, Fatigue or Light Headedness for up to 24 hours after discharge
XXVIII. Complications: Common
-
Hypoxia (40.2 per 1000 sedations)
- Highest risk with Profol or with combined Midazolam with Opiate
- Open airway with Jaw Thrust
- Supplemental Oxygen
- Tactile and verbal stimulation
-
Vomiting (16.4 per 1000 sedations)
- Highest risk with Ketamine
- Consider prophylactic Antiemetic in those at higher risk but evidence is lacking (see above)
- Suction airway
- Place patient in left lateral decubitus position
- Maintain airway management and consider definitive airway (i.e. Endotracheal Intubation)
- Administer Antiemetic (e.g. Ondansetron)
-
Hypotension (15.2 per 1000 sedations)
- Highest risk with Propofol or combined Midazolam with an Opiate
- Typically resolves spontaneously
- Consider crystalloid fluid (NS or LR) bolus of 500 ml (or 10-20 ml/kg)
- Consider Push Dose Pressor (e.g. Phenylephrine) for refractory Hypotension
- Apnea (12.4 per 1000 sedations)
- Highest risk with Midazolam with or without an Opiate
- Capnography allows for earlier recognition (contrast with delayed recognition with Oxygen Saturation)
- Supplemental Oxygen
- Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation
- Consider Endotracheal Intubation
- Consider reversal agents (e.g. Naloxone or Flumazenil)
- References
XXIX. Complications: Uncommon
- Pulmonary aspiration (1.2 per 1000 sedations)
- Suction airway
- Supplemental Oxygen
- Maintain airway management and consider definitive airway (i.e. Endotracheal Intubation)
- Consider Antibiotic coverage for Aspiration Pneumonia
-
Agitation
- More common with Ketamine-related emergence reactions
- Also Agitation occurs paradoxically in children with Benzodiazepines (up to 15% of cases)
- Consider Benzodiazepine (e.g. Versed), unless of course the Benzodiazepine was causative
- Calm redirection can help patients more calmly emerge
-
Sinus Bradycardia
- Typically resolves spontaneously
- Atropine may be dosed if needed
- Laryngospasm (3-4 per 1000 sedations with Ketamine)
- More common with Ketamine (esp. if comorbid Asthma or acute URI)
- May respond to Laryngospasm Notch Maneuver
- Deliver High Flow Oxygen
- Attempt bag valve ventilation
- Consider Paralytic Agent (e.g. Succinylcholine or Rocuronium) and intubation
- References
XXX. References
- Acker, Koval and Leeper (2017) Crit Dec Emerg Med 31(4): 3-13
- Braude in Herbert (2013) EM:Rap 13(11): 14
- Claudius and Behar in Herbert (2019) EM:Rap 19(12): 15-6
- Kay (2015) Crit Dec Emerg Med 29(8): 11-17
- Lester and Braude in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(5): 5-6
- Weingart in Majoewsky (2012) EM:RAP 12(2): 8
- Miner (2012) APLS Lecture, HCMC, Minneapolis
- Hamilton (2012) Tarascon Pharmacopeia, Jones and Bartlett, Burlington
- Rispoli (2002) Tarascon Pocket Orthopedics, Loma Linda, p. 115
- Shahbaz and Kivlehan (2018) Crit Dec Emerg Med 32(8): 19-28
- Singh in Blaivas (2012) Emergency Medicine - an International Perspective, p. 199-208
- Strayer in Herbert (2017) EM:Rap 17(12): 17-9
- University Minnesota Childrens - Pediatric Emergency Drug Card
- Weingart and Swaminathan in Swadron (2023) EM:Rap 23(3): 7-10
- Becker (2012) Anesth Prog 59:28-42 [PubMed]
- Brown (2005) Am Fam Physician 71:85-90 [PubMed]
- Godwin (2014) Ann Emerg Med 63(2): 247-58 [PubMed]
- Miller (2018) Ann Emerg Med 73(5): 470-80 +PMID: 30732981 [PubMed]