TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1997//
TI  - Opioid sedation does not alter intracranial pressure in head injured patients
JO  - Canadian journal of anaesthesia
A1  - Lauer, K. K.
A1  - Connolly, L. A.
A1  - Schmeling, W. T.
SP  - 929
EP  - 933
VL  - 44
IS  - 9
N2  - PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of sedative doses of morphine, fentanyl and sufentanil on intracranial pressure (ICP) in head-injured patients in whom changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) were minimized. METHODS: Fifteen severely head-injured patients (GSC of < or = 8) were randomly assigned to receive either fentanyl, sufentanil or morphine, titrating the drug to a maximal 10% decrease in MAP. The patients were subsequently given an infusion of the same opioid. For four hours, ICP, MAP and heart rate were recorded. RESULTS: In all groups, there were no increases in ICP. There was a decrease in MAP in the sufentanil group at 10 min (P < 0.05) and 45 min after the initial opioid bolus. These decreases in MAP were not associated with increases in ICP. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that when opioids are titrated in head-injured patients, worsening intracranial pressure can be avoided.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0832-610X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03011963
ID  - ref1
ER  -