What is sedation?
Sedation is commonly used to put your critically ill loved one into an induced coma.
An induced coma is commonly used to start intubating and ventilating your critically ill loved one with a ventilator and a breathing tube or an endotracheal tube.
Commonly used sedatives are
- Propofol(Diprivan)
- Midazolam(Versed/Dormicum)
- Dexmedetomidine(Precedex), Clonidine
- Thiopentone(mainly in head and brain injuries)
Other aides being used for sedation are Opioids(pain medication)
Commonly used Opioids in Intensive Care are
- Morphine
- Fentanyl
- Ketamine
How is sedation given or administered?
Sedation is given through a CVC (Central venous lines) via an Infusion pump so that the rate can be tightly controlled. Sometimes sedation can also be given through a peripheral venous catheter, mainly in the absence of a CVC(Central venous line).
Common side effects of sedation are
- hypotension(=low blood pressure)
- respiratory depression(= slow breathing)
- irregular heart rhythm
- drug specific effects
- disturbed sleep and disturbed day and night rhythm
- withdrawal especially from Midazolam, Fentanyl and Morphine
- delirium
Any Questions?
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with the ICU nurses and doctors.
All Intensive Care interventions and procedures carry a degree of potential risk even when performed by skilled and experienced staff. Please discuss these issues with the medical and nursing staff who are caring for your loved one.
The information contained on this page is general in nature and therefore cannot reflect individual patient variation. It is meant as a back up to specific information which will be discussed with you by the Doctors and Nurses caring for your loved one. INTENSIVE CARE HOTLINE attests to the accuracy of the information contained here BUT takes no responsibility for how it may apply to an individual Patient. Please refer to the full disclaimer.