Author/Editor     Jošt, Anton; Blagus, Rok; Ban, Boris; Kamenik, Mirt
Title     Effect-site concentration of remifentanil during patient-controlled analgesia in labour
Type     članek
Vol. and No.     Letnik 24, št. 3
Publication year     2015
Volume     str. 230-236
ISSN     1532-3374 - International journal of obstetric anesthesia
Language     eng
Abstract     Background Intravenous remifentanil has been described for patient-controlled analgesia in labour. Recently, the application of target-controlled infusion pumps with Minto's pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model has been reported. Hypothetical effect-site remifentanil concentration during patient-controlled analgesia for labour has yet to be examined. The aim of this concept study was to explore characteristics of this parameter. Methods We performed a historical cohort study based on our previous randomised cross-over clinical trial and analysed hypothetical effect-site remifentanil concentration. Values at spontaneous vaginal delivery and Apgar scores were tested for correlation. The association between pain score and the corresponding effect-site remifentanil concentration before and after bolus administration, and their relative difference, was examined with a linear mixed-effects model, adjusted for other variables. Results A series of 23 parturients with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were included. On average, effect-site remifentanil concentration was highest during the third quarter throughout our recordings (5.5 ng/mL; maximum 15.8 ng/mL). The mean (median) {IQR} [range] at spontaneous vaginal delivery (n=14) was 2.52 (1.32) {0.95%4.28} [0.65%6.88] ng/mL, all Apgar scores were >7, and no correlation was confirmed. A negative association between effect-site remifentanil concentration before bolus administration and pain score (scale 0%100) was observed (%3.9, 95% CI %5.16 to %2.61, P <0.01). Conclusions The residual value of hypothetical effect-site remifentanil concentration before uterine contraction, at the beginning of bolus administration, predicted lower pain scores. Monitoring effect-site remifentanil concentration may be potentially useful when remifentanil is administered for labour analgesia. However, our results need to be confirmed with a pharmacokinetic model optimized for pregnant patients.
Keywords     analgesia
pain
pharmacokinetic model
analgezija
bolečina
farmakokinetični model