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Propofol anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing paediatric patients during magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Levatt A.,
Colombo N.,
Arosio E. M.,
Savoia G.,
Tommasino C.,
Scialfa G.,
Boselli L.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1996.tb04488.x
Subject(s) - medicine , propofol , magnetic resonance imaging , anesthesia , breathing , radiology
Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of propofol to induce and maintain anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing paediatric patients (age 2 weeks ‐ 11 years) during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the CNS. Methods: All patients were spontaneously breathing, without intubation, and received supplemental O 2 . Pulse rate, blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram and EtCO 2 were recorded in all patients, and in 38 subjects SpO 2 was also monitored. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to their body weights: Group A (n=34, bwt ≤ 10 kg), and Group B (n=48, bwt> Id kg). Results: Dosage of propofol during the time of induction (from insertion of the i.v. cannula to positioning on the MRI table) was significantly higher in smaller children (Group A; 5.4 ± 2.2 (SD) mg/kg) as compared to children with bwt above 10 kg (Group B; 3.7 ± 1.6 mg/kg). Propofol dosage for maintenance of anaesthesia was significantly higher in smaller children (Group A: 10.1 ± 5.7 vs Group B: 7.1 + 3.0 mgkg ‐1 h ‐1 , P=0.003). During the time of induction, transient episodes of reduced BP (≤ 20%) occurred in 6 patients in Group A and 2 patients in Group B. During anaesthesia in Group B there was 1 episode of oxygen desaturation (95%), and 3 episodes of short and mild increases of EtCO 2 (≤ 52 mmHg). No other side effects occurred in any patient. MRI studies were successfully completed, only 3 sequences (Group A) had to be restarted. Conclusion: Propofol can be safely used for total intravenous anaesthesia in children undergoing MRI.