Stroke Mimic Secondary to IV Fentanyl Administration

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic widely used in acute care settings.
• Its rapid onset and short duration make it advantageous over other opioids like morphine.
• Fentanyl is known for its high lipid solubility, facilitating rapid passage across the blood-brain barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report an unusual side effect of transient aphasia following fentanyl administration.
• To raise awareness among clinicians regarding this potential adverse event.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 61-year-old female undergoing elective embolization.
• Administration of intravenous fentanyl on two separate occasions.
• Clinical observation and neurological assessment for adverse effects.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced immediate episodes of transient aphasia after each fentanyl administration.
• No other neurological or imaging findings could explain the aphasia.
• The aphasia resolved spontaneously between administrations.

Conclusions:

• Transient aphasia may be an unusual, but possible, side effect of fentanyl.
• Clinicians should consider fentanyl as a potential cause of aphasia in patients presenting with such symptoms.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism of fentanyl-induced aphasia.