Pharmacokinetic data analysis of alfentanil after multiple injections and etomidate-infusion in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

The pharmacokinetics of Alfentanil, a new short acting analgesic, and Etomidate, a very short acting hypnotic compound, were studied in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Anesthesia was induced by bolus i.v.

Plasma levels of alfentanil and etomidate in patients and their relation to compressed power spectral analysis of the EEG.

In 22 patients alfentanil-etomidate anesthesia was used for orthopedic procedures using for the induction period 300 micrograms/kg of the hypnotic and 100 micrograms/kg of the opioid. Maintenance of anesthesia consisted of 20 micrograms/kg of alfentanil given every 15 min and 20 micrograms/kg/min of etomidate given over an infusion. The patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated with pure oxygen.