Intersting, I've tried to find literature on other ultra-potent narcotics (that can cause rigid chest) but I've found nothing. Do you know if sufentanyl has ever been written up in the literature for this s/o? BTW what the heck is the mechanism for this phenomenon?
Try a 4 cc bolus of remifentanyl. DAMN!!!!! Happened when I was supervising a crani being done by a CA-1 and he mislabeled a 5 cc syringe containing remi as containing fentanyl. Pushed it before induction and the patient felt first became completely sedated and stiff as a board when the CA-1 was trying to ventilate her.
Intersting, I've tried to find literature on other ultra-potent narcotics (that can cause rigid chest) but I've found nothing. Do you know if sufentanyl has ever been written up in the literature for this s/o? BTW what the heck is the mechanism for this phenomenon?
Well know phenonmenon with all potent narcotics...fen, su, al, remi, etc.
There is one report in Anesthesiology that reports that the rigidity is caused by glottic closure (with pictures in the article)....however, I don't agree with that assessment although in certain cases this may be true.
I think the narcotics make you breath really slowly...and you just can't change the SLOW respiratory rate without muscle relaxant..just my opinion.