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Etomidate for Procedural Sedation in the Emergency Department
Author(s) -
Keim Samuel M.,
Erstad Brian L.,
Sakles John C.,
Davis Virgil
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.22.8.586.33204
Subject(s) - etomidate , sedation , emergency department , medicine , anesthesia , medical emergency , emergency medicine , propofol , psychiatry
Study Objective. To review our experience with etomidate in nonintubated patients in the emergency department. Design. A 2‐year retrospective chart review of consecutive patients receiving etomidate for sedation. Setting. Emergency department of a university‐based teaching hospital. Patients. Forty‐eight patients who underwent painful procedures in the emergency department. Measurements and Main Results. Demographics, dosing information, recovery times, and adverse events were abstracted using a standardized data collection form. Forty‐eight nonintubated patients were sedated with etomidate. Mean age was 34 years (range 6–80 yrs); 38 were men and 10 women; two were children. The mean initial dose of etomidate was 13 mg. Adverse events occurred in 11 (21%) patients. None sustained any substantial morbidity as indicated by need for intubation, prolonged emergency department stay, or hospital admission. Conclusion. Although controversial, etomidate holds promise as a potent sedative agent for patients undergoing painful procedures in the emergency department. A large prospective evaluation is needed to document the performance and complications of this agent.