CRNA : the clinical forum for nurse anesthetists
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Total intravenous anesthesia with a continuous propofol-alfentanil infusion.
A total intravenous anesthetic using propofol and alfentanil was evaluated to determine if it would provide a shorter recovery-room stay than a more traditional balanced anesthetic using isoflurane and alfentanil. Forty-three ASA I or II patients between 17 and 50 years of age undergoing major abdominal or orthopedic procedures were studied. The propofol group received alfentanil 50 mg/kg followed by propofol 1 mg/kg for anesthesia induction. ⋯ One episode each of intraoperative awareness and delayed eye opening occurred in the propofol group. Total intravenous anesthesia using propofol and alfentanil is just as effective as a balanced inhalation anesthetic and provides equally rapid recovery. However, practitioners are cautioned to include an amnestic adjuvant when using propofol as the sole anesthetic agent.