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Multidrug intravenous anesthesia for children undergoing MRI: a comparison with general anesthesia

Ahmed A Shorrab1, Atef D Demian, Mohamed M Atallah

  • 1Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt. shorraba@yahoo.com

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|November 8, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Intravenous anesthesia with midazolam, ketamine, and propofol (MKP) is safe for pediatric MRI. The MKP regimen showed comparable safety and recovery to general endotracheal anesthesia, with fewer repeat scans needed.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Imaging
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often requires anesthesia.
  • A multidrug intravenous anesthesia regimen (midazolam, ketamine, propofol) was evaluated.
  • This regimen was compared against general endotracheal anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the safety and efficacy of intravenous anesthesia (midazolam, ketamine, propofol) versus general endotracheal anesthesia in children undergoing MRI.
  • To assess adverse events and recovery variables in relation to age strata.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized comparative study involving 655 children.
  • Children received either general endotracheal anesthesia (GET) or intravenous anesthesia (MKP).
  • Physiological parameters, desaturation, airway issues, and repeat scan needs were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Both anesthesia regimens were effective, with only 0.6% of the MKP group requiring a repeat scan.
  • The incidence of side effects was similar between MKP (7.7%) and GET (7.0%) groups.
  • Infants under 1 year experienced a higher incidence of adverse events within both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous midazolam, ketamine, and propofol provides safe and adequate anesthesia for pediatric MRI.
  • The MKP regimen is comparable to general endotracheal anesthesia for most pediatric patients.
  • Careful monitoring is advised, especially for infants under one year of age.
Abstract

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