PROPOFOL ANESTHESIA IN SPONTANEOUSLY BREATHING PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS DURING MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of propofol to induce and maintain anaesthesia in spontaneously breathing paediatr ic patients (age 2 weeks - 11 years) during Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) of the CNS. Methods: All patients were spontaneously breathing, without intubation, and received supplemental O-2. Pulse rate, blood pressure (BP), electrocardiogram and EtCO(2) were recorded in all pati ents, and in 38 subjects SpO(2) was also monitored. Patients were divi ded in 2 groups according to their body weights: Group A (n=34, bwt le ss than or equal to 10 kg) and Group B (n=48, bwt > 10 kg).Results: Do sage of propofol during the time of induction (from insertion of the i .v. cannula to positioning on the MRI table) was significantly higher in smaller children (Group A; 5.4 +/- 2.2 (SD) mg/kg) as compared to c hildren with bwt above 10 kg (Group B; 3.7 +/- 1.6 mg/kg). Propofol do sage for maintenance of anaesthesia was significantly higher in smalle r children (Group A: 10.1 +/- 5.7 vs Group B: 7.1 +/- 3.0 mgkg(-1)h(-1 ), P=0.003). During the time of induction, transient episodes of reduc ed BP (less than or equal to 20%) occurred in 6 patients in Group A an d 2 patients in Group B. During anaesthesia in Group B there was 1 epi sode of oxygen desaturation (95%), and 3 episodes of short and mild in creases of EtCO(2) (less than or equal to 52 mmHg). No other side effe cts occurred in any patient. MRI studies were successfully completed, only 3 sequences (Group A) had to be restarted. Conclusion: Propofol c an be safely used for total intravenous anaesthesia in children underg oing MRI.