Happy Hungry and Horny: Some benefits of Propofol
Happy Hungry and Horny : Some benefits of Propofol.
Anesthesiologists know that propofol has many benefits including the fact that it is practically an ideal anesthetic agent. If Micheal Jackson had been given propofol he would have realized how wonderful an anesthetic agent propofol is as a sleep aide in spite of the fact that is not an FDA approved usage of the drug. Propofol does not induce proper restful REM sleep. The three H’s are very unique benefits that an anesthesia patient can identify and enjoy. Propofol is a white emulsion (1 calorie per ml) sedative hypnotic agent that has been given the nicknames, milk of amnesia and mother’s milk. Propofol also is known to ease nausea and itching. These are five anesthetic properties which make propofol somewhat “tricky” to administer.
1) Giving propofol appears too easy. Just push the syringe and the patient goes to sleep in less than 40 seconds. That is what makes other caregivers think they can give propofol for the procedures they do on their patients. Vital signs must be monitored closely and maintained within normal limits during use and recovery from intravenous propofol.
2) Severe respiratory depression: Occurs when combined with oral, intramuscular or intravenous medications, particularly with narcotics (e.g., morphine, meperidine, and fentanyl, etc.) and combinations of opioids and sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates).
3) Prexisting conditions: Sleep apnea syndrome. Total obstruction of breathing can be the result of even a small dose of propofol.
4) Cardiac depression: Many conditions can lead to low blood pressure after intravenous propofol for instance dehydration after a bowel preparation for colonoscopy.
5) Potential for abuse and analysis: Murder, death, suicide, self administration, toxicolgy hair analysis.
Awareness and Anesthesia (excerpts from The Sweet Smell of Success: Ideal Anesthesia)
Monitor with Vigilance
The motto of anesthesia practice is vigilance. Anesthesiologists and critical care doctors use the “rule of trends” in acute care medicine settings to assess and measure response to treatment.
To arrive at the ideal anesthetic, we need to understand more about how anesthesia works and how people consent to have anesthesia. Some types of surgical procedures can and should be accomplished using a technique called conscious sedation, with monitored anesthesia care. Some awareness is intended and expected during conscious sedation, so patients need to be educated and consent to undergo that type of surgery and anesthesia if indicated. Awareness while under the influence of general anesthesia is very rare. It is a potential complication of general anesthesia.
The awareness during general anesthesia portrayed in the Hollywood thriller Awake reveals a frightening medical issue. The post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) that may develop as a result of a medical sentinel event such as awareness under general anesthesia requires specialized intervention. Anyone experiencing an awareness event can obtain help from special interest groups that can provide support, such as the Anesthesia Awareness Campaign, and obtain appropriate referral to qualified mental health care professionals.
Increasing patients’ overall educational awareness about the events surrounding surgery pertaining to anesthesia improves patient satisfaction and surgical outcomes. Providing the satisfactory service of patient safety and comfort is the goal of every anesthesiologist.
Micheal Jackson, The King of Pop. May you Rest in Peace.
James Geiger MD
The oilMD
The Sweet Smell of Success 