FENTANYL THERAPY CONTROLS AUTONOMIC HYPERACTIVITY IN TETANUS

This report describes the use of fentanyl in severe tetanus after fail ure of established therapeutic modalities (heavy sedation, neuromuscul ar blockade and ventilation). Cardiovascular instability accompanying severe tetanus secondary to sympathetic overactivity and raised catech olamine levels is associated with a mortality of over 50%.(1) In this clinical situation, a variety of drugs with a primary or secondary act ion on the cardiovascular system has been used with varying success. T he following case bf severe generalised tetanus in the adult associate d with autonomic hyperactivity, was successfully managed with large do ses of intravenous fentanyl.