Jhjh. Helmers et al., SUFENTANIL PHARMACOKINETICS IN YOUNG-ADULT AND ELDERLY SURGICAL PATIENTS, European journal of anaesthesiology, 11(3), 1994, pp. 181-185
Sufentanil 3 mug kg-1 was administered as an intravenous (i.v.) bolus
to 12 elderly patients, aged 65-87 years and 12 young adults, 17-43 ye
ars of age, all ASA class I-II, scheduled for orthopaedic surgery. Pla
sma sufentanil concentrations were measured by a specific radio-immuno
assay. Plasma concentration time-curves for the young adult and the el
derly groups were superimposible. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calc
ulated from the derived compartmental models. Elimination half-lives,
clearance and total volumes of distribution were calculated with non-c
ompartment methods. The major pharmacokinetic parameters, elimination
half-life, clearance and volume of distribution did not differ between
both groups. The age-related differences in the action of sufentanil
cannot be explained by its pharmacokinetic properties.