Citation

Lauer KK, Connolly LA, Schmeling WT. Can. J. Anaesth. 1997; 44(9): 929-933.

Affiliation

Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA. klauer@post.its.mcw.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Springer)

DOI

10.1007/BF03011963

PMID

9305555

Abstract

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.

Language: en