INTRAVENOUS LORAZEPAM AS AN AMNESTIC AND ANXIOLYTIC AGENT IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Objective: To assess the efficacy and hemodynamic safety of intravenou s lorazepam as an amnestic and anxiolytic agent in patients undergoing critical care procedures. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Trauma/ intensive care unit and coronary care unit of a 524-bed, tertiary, tea ching community hospital. Subjects: Ten patients undergoing critical c are procedures. Interventions: Intravenous lorazepam was administered at an initial dose of 2 mg, 15 to 20 mins before the critical care pro cedure (procedures included both invasive and noninvasive techniques) was performed. Anxiety level and memory assessment were evaluated at b aseline and at various points following lorazepam administration. Chan ges in hemodynamic status were evaluated regularly throughout the stud y. Measurements and Main Results: No significant changes in hemodynami c measurements were observed after administration of intravenous loraz epam. Significant differences were seen in anxiety scores and amnestic effects from preprocedure/pre-lorazepam to post-lorazepam evaluations (all p values were < .03). Conclusions: This study confirms the benef icial anxiolytic and amnestic effects of lorazepam in a subgroup of pa tients undergoing critical care procedures. The study also substantiat es the safety of this drug in this patient population.