Alfentanil infusions for peroperative and postoperative analgesia

✍ Scribed by Henk Noorduin; Heather Waldron; Achiel van Peer; Gabriel Vanden Bussche

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1986
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 361 KB
• Volume: 8
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0272-4391
• DOI: 10.1002/ddr.430080140

✦ Synopsis

The theoretical and clinical data available to date on the use of alfentanil by infusion as a supplement to N20 anaesthesia are summarized. These data suggest that alfentanil plasma levels of 200-400 nglml are required to provide adequate peroperative analgesia, depending upon the severity of the surgical procedure. Patients may be expected to awaken and breathe spontaneously at plasma levels of less than 200 nglml. Infusion regimens that achieve the required plasma levels without prolonging recovery are recommended for both minor and major surgery. Tentative suggestions are also given for the use of alfentanil by infusion in the postoperative period in spontaneously breathing patients.