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Remifentanil analgosedation in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation
Author(s) -
Giannantonio Carmen,
Sammartino Maria,
Valente Elisabetta,
Cota Francesco,
Fioretti Maria,
Papacci Patrizia
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01318.x
Subject(s) - remifentanil , medicine , discontinuation , anesthesia , sedation , mechanical ventilation , ventilation (architecture) , respiratory distress , opioid , randomized controlled trial , surgery , propofol , mechanical engineering , receptor , engineering
Aim: To assess efficacy of remifentanil in preterm newborns during mechanical ventilation. Methods: Remifentanil was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to provide analgesia and sedation in 48 preterm infants who developed respiratory distress and required mechanical ventilation. We examined the doses needed to provide adequate analgesia, extubation time after the discontinuation of opioid infusion, the presence of side effects and safety of the use. Results: Remifentanil provided adequate analgesia, with a significant reduction of NIPS and COMFORT score since 1 h after starting the infusion of remifentanil. The drug was initially administered at a dose of 0.075 μg/kg/min, but in 73% of newborns the latter had to be increased; at a dose of 0.094 ± 0.03 (mean ± standard deviation) μg/kg/min, 97% of the newborns received adequate analgesia and sedation. The time elapsed between the discontinuation of remifentanil infusion and extubation was 36 ± 12 min. Treatment was started between the 1st and the 17th day of life. The mean duration of therapy was 5.9 ± 5.7 days. No side effects on the respiratory or cardiovascular system were observed. Conclusion: Remifentanil is a manageable and effective opioid in the newborn undergoing mechanical ventilation, though randomized controlled trials and information about long‐term outcomes are necessary.