[Alfentanil in routine clinical use. A study of 50 patients]

Alfentanil in combination with etomidate and N2O/O2 was given to 50 patients as single dosage (0.024 mg/kg b.w.) or with repeated injections for surgical interventions up to 90 minutes duration. In 68% of these cases sufficient analgesia was obtained. The most frequent side-effects were rigidity of the thorax (54%), quick, extensive changes in blood pressure (32%) and bradycardia (28%). The recovery phase was very short, postoperative sickness and vomiting were seen in 6% of all cases. Still, after repeated injections phases with prolonged sleep can appear. While using Alfentanil, exact monitoring is necessary, as quick and unexpected changes of blood pressure and pulse can appear.