IV Nembutal: safe sedation for children undergoing CT

Initial experience with intravenous pentobarbital sedation for children undergoing MRI at a tertiary care pediatric hospital: the learning curve

“…The adverse effects of sedation were also comparable to prior reports [1,2,5], but for the two cases of prolonged sedation. In both cases, a radiologist chose to exceed the maximum dose per kilogram or total dose set down in the protocol.…”

“…Typically, reported studies are from groups with a large prior experience with this sedation method prior to beginning studies for publication [1,2]. In effect, such studies indicate the best possible results since the radiologists and nurses are already experienced with the technique and possible adverse reactions.…”

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IntroductionIntravenous pentobarbital administered by radiologists experienced with its use provides safe and effective sedation for children undergoing computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging [1,2]. The purpose of this paper is to describe the initial experience at a tertiary pediatric hospital with intravenous pentobarbital sedation in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging to identify errors associated with inexperience.

Subjects and methods

The study was performed in a tertiary care pediatric hospital radiology department.

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“…No physician or nurse in the radiology department had prior experience with intravenous sedation prior to beginning the study. A protocol for intravenous pentobarbital sedation of children undergoing cross-sectional imaging was drafted based on published guidelines for monitoring and sedation of children undergoing diagnostic procedures [3] and reports by pediatric radiologists utilizing intravenous pentobarbital sedation [1,2]. The hospital sedation committee approved the protocol.…”

CT Scan of Pediatric Liver Tumors

“…The way sedation and general anaesthesia is organised depends largely on local agreements and legislations. The drugs most frequently used for sedation are oral chloral hydrate and intravenous pentobarbital sodium (American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force,1996;Bisset & Ball,1991;Committee on Drugs,1992;Cote,1994;Frush et al,1996;Pereira et al,1993;Strain, 1988;Nievelstein,2010).Oral chloral hydrate, 50 to 100 mg/kg, with a maximum dosage of 2000 mg, is the drug of choice for children younger than 18 months. Intravenous pentobarbital sodium, 6 mg/kg with a maximum dose of 200 mg, is advocated in children older than 18 months.…”