[Etomidate for long term administration (author's transl)]

Etomidate in a new more concentrated solution given in 50 ml NaCl 0.9% was administrated to two groups of patients for prolonged sleep over 48-60 hours. The first group of patients got withdrawal symptoms after several operations. The second group contain seven patients after multiple injury, who were given the continuous infusion for adaptation to the respirator. The following levels were recorded:Psyst/diast, Part, HR; paO2, paCO2. After the administration of etomidate heart rate and blood pressure became normal. We did not find any significant changes, neither in the first group under spontaneous breathing of room air nor in the second under controlled respiration with room air. Blood pressure, heart rate, paO2 and paCO2 remained normal during the long term medication of etomidate.