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Remifentanil Update
Clinical Science and Utility
Richard Beers and Enrico Camporesi
Department of Anesthesiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA
Contents
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1. Clinical Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
DRAFT
airway nerve blocks, it may be useful for blunting reflex responses and facilitating
‘awake’ fibreoptic intubation.
Compared with fentanyl and alfentanil in a day-surgery setting, remifentanil
supplementation of general anaesthesia may improve intraoperative haemodyna-
mic control. Both emergence time and the incidence of respiratory depression
during post-anaesthetic recovery may be reduced. However, outcomes such as
home discharge time, post-emergence adverse effect profile, and patient and
provider satisfaction were not significantly improved, and the incidence of
intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia was greater. In addition, drug acquisi-
tion costs for remifentanil were higher and clinicians may need extra time to
familiarise themselves with the drug’s unique pharmacokinetics.
Ironically, the quick dissipation of opioid analgesic effect following remi-
fentanil discontinuation may be a significant clinical disadvantage. Unless little or
no postoperative pain is anticipated, the clinician may wish to treat prospectively
using local or regional anaesthesia, non-opioid analgesics, or longer-acting opioid
analgesics.
Remifentanil is an opioid of the 4-anilidopiper- time of 90–120 minutes and is excreted unchanged
idine class, with a chemical structure similar to that in the urine.[1] The metabolism of remifentanil is not
of fentanyl, alfentanil and sufentanil. It is pharmaco- affected by congenital and acquired conditions that
dynamically similar to all selective mu opioid ago- cause abnormal plasma pseudocholinesterase ac-
nists, but possesses unique pharmacokinetic proper- tivity. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine
ties. do not alter remifentanil metabolism, and concomi-
Remifentanil has a methyl ester at the N-acyl tant administration of remifentanil does not alter the
moiety. This site is cleaved by widespread nonspe- breakdown of other esterase-metabolised drugs,
cific esterases, present ubiquitously in tissues and such as esmolol and succinylcholine.[1]
plasma; the parent drug is metabolised to its carbox- The steady-state volume of distribution (30L) for
ylic acid metabolite, remifentanil acid. Remifentanil remifentanil is similar to that of alfentanil (28L).[1]
acid, which is approximately 800- to 2000-fold less In comparison, the volume of distribution for fenta-
potent than the parent drug, has an elimination half- nyl is 280L, almost 10-fold that of remifentanil and
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 3
Table I. Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of remifentanil, alfentanil, fentanyl and sufentanil((Author: please provide a reference))
Variable Remifentanil Alfentanil Fentanyl Sufentanil
Vd steady-state (L/kg) 0.3–0.4 0.25–0.75 3.2–5.9 2.86
Vd steady-state (L)a 30 28 335 200
Vd central compartment (L/kg) 0.1-0.2 0.1–0.4 0.5–1.0 0.7
Clearance (mL/min/kg) 40-60 3–8 20 10–15
Clearance (L/min) 4 0.24 1.5 0.9
Terminal elimination half-time (min) 9 90 260 150
t1/2ke0 (min) 1.0–1.5 0.6–1.2 6.2 6.4
pka 7.26 6.5 8.4 8.0
% non-ionised at pH 7.4 58 89 9 20
% protein bound at physiological pH 89–92 92 80–85 92
Context-sensitive half-time after 3-hour infusion 3 50–55 >100 25
(min)
a For a 70kg adult patient.
pKa = pH at which the drug is 50% ionised ((Author: is this definition OK?)); t1/2ke0 = half-time for equilibration across the plasma/effect
DRAFT
alfentanil. Furthermore, like alfentanil, the pKa (the sumes that a steady-state plasma concentration has
pH at which the drug is 50% ionised ((Author: is been established before the infusion is stopped.
this definition OK?))) of remifentanil is lower than Context-sensitive half-time is determined by mea-
physiological pH. For this reason, >50% of remi- surement of blood concentration versus time; the
fentanil (pKa 7.26) and alfentanil (pKa 6.5) mole- ‘context’ is the duration of the infusion.
cules are present in their non-ionised form upon The context-sensitive half-time of remifentanil
entering the circulation. Non-ionised drugs are remains consistently short (3.2 minutes), even fol-
1000- to 10 000-fold more lipid soluble than ionised lowing an infusion of long duration (≥8 hours).[2]
drugs. Consequently, alfentanil and remifentanil This clinically important feature distinguishes remi-
will quickly penetrate the lipid blood-brain barrier; fentanil from other anilidopiperidine opioids, the
equilibration across the plasma/effect site interface context-sensitive half-times of which are highly de-
occurs rapidly.[1] pendent upon the duration of the infusion. For exam-
Since the metabolism of remifentanil is wide- ple, following a 3-hour infusion, the context-sensi-
spread, its clearance is rapid (3–4 L/min, or about tive half-times of alfentanil and fentanyl are 47.3
3–4 times hepatic blood flow). In contrast, the termi- minutes and 180 minutes, respectively.[3]
nal elimination of alfentanil, fentanyl or sufentanil is The short, consistent context-sensitive half-time
dependent upon hepatic biotransformation and renal of remifentanil is a result of its unique pharmacokin-
excretion. Despite their similar distribution vol- etic properties. By virtue of its relatively small vol-
umes, clearance of alfentanil is 0.2–0.5 L/min, one- ume of distribution and widespread metabolism by
tenth that of remifentanil. As a consequence, the nonspecific esterases, accumulation of remifentanil
terminal elimination half-times of alfentanil and in the periphery is limited, and its clearance is rapid.
remifentanil are 90 minutes and 9 minutes, respec- In contrast, the volume of distribution for fentanyl is
tively.[1] For a comparison of the pharmacokinetic 10-fold and its clearance about one-third that of
properties of remifentanil and other anilidopiper- remifentanil. Fentanyl accumulates to a greater ex-
idine-class opioids, please refer to table I. tent in the peripheral compartment, increasingly so
The context-sensitive half-time of a drug is a as the infusion duration increases, and upon infusion
pharmacokinetic measure of the time required for cessation, the periphery serves as a reservoir from
the drug’s plasma concentration to decrease by 50% which fentanyl re-enters the central compartment.
after cessation of an infusion. This statement as- Sufentanil also undergoes significant distribution
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
4 Beers & Camporesi
within the peripheral compartment and depends up- In morbidly obese patients, Egan et al.[10] found
on hepatic biotransformation for its elimination.[4] that a remifentanil dosage regimen based upon ideal
For a comparison of the context-sensitive half-times body weight may be more clinically useful than one
for alfentanil, sufentanil, fentanyl and remifentanil, based upon actual body weight.
please refer to figure 1. Remifentanil, like other anilidopiperidine-class
The pharmacokinetic characteristics of remi- opioids, readily crosses the placenta, but its pharma-
fentanil have been found to be largely independent cokinetic profile is unaltered in the fetal circulation.
of the degree of impairment of hepatic[6] and renal[7] Because the drug formulation presently contains
function. Although the pharmacokinetic properties glycine, the epidural or intrathecal administration of
of remifentanil are similar in both healthy subjects the drug is contraindicated for all patients.[1]
and those with severe hepatic disease, the latter
Although remifentanil has unique pharmacokine-
population may be more sensitive to the respiratory
tic properties, its pharmacodynamic effects parallel
depressant effects of opioids.[1]
those of other opioids. Remifentanil has dose-de-
The pharmacokinetic profile of remifentanil is pendent analgesic, sedative and respiratory depres-
DRAFT
relatively unaltered by extremes of age (neonates sant effects, all of which are readily reversed by the
and patients aged ≥65 years) and the presence of mu receptor-specific opioid antagonist naloxone.
coexisting conditions, such as obesity. In elderly The adverse-effect profile of remifentanil is similar
patients (aged ≥65 years), remifentanil clearance is to other opioids. Like many opioids, remifentanil
reduced by approximately 25%. In addition, equili- has intense vagotonic and sympatholytic effects, as
bration between the plasma and effect site is slower evidenced by its common adverse effects, brady-
in the elderly population.[8] cardia (heart rate <50 beats/min) and hypotension
In neonates, fentanyl, alfentanil and sufentanil (systolic blood pressure <80mm Hg). Chest wall
exhibit an increased volume of distribution and de- rigidity, especially after bolus administration, is
creased clearance. In effect, loading dosage require- common, as are the adverse effects of pruritus and
ments are higher, but elimination half-life is pro- nausea and vomiting.[1]
longed. However, in neonates, remifentanil exhibits As mentioned previously, the time constant for
an increase in both volume of distribution and clear- equilibration across the plasma/effect site interface
ance. Consequently, elimination half-life remains for remifentanil is short. Consequently, its onset of
unchanged in this patient population.[9] clinical effect is rapid (about 1.5 minutes). In con-
100
trast, the onset of clinical effect for fentanyl occurs
Fentanyl
after 3–5 minutes.[11]
Time to 50% drop (min)
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 5
In addition to the pharmacokinetic differences ner, reduce the dosage of hypnotics required to
seen in the elderly population, elderly patients may maintain anaesthesia. The degree to which the hyp-
be more sensitive to the opioid effects of remi- notic anaesthetic dosage is reduced is known as the
fentanil. The pharmacodynamic effects of opioids MAC-suppressing effect of an opioid, typically ex-
upon the cerebral cortex may be noted by the ap- pressed as the percentage by which the baseline
pearance of delta waves on the EEG. Opioid effects MAC (without the presence of opioid) is reduced.[16]
may be compared between groups by determination When defining drug effect and drug interactions,
of the steady-state plasma opioid concentration at it is critical that each drug has reached a steady-state
which delta waves are seen in 50% of subjects. effect compartment concentration. After a bolus ad-
Compared with younger patients, the effect site con- ministration of an opioid, the plasma concentration
centration at which delta waves are seen is reduced is continuously changing because of drug distribu-
by 50% in the elderly, indicating that pharmacody- tion kinetics, and there is disequilibrium (hysteresis)
namic sensitivity to opioids is doubled in this popu- between the plasma drug concentration and its ef-
lation.[13] Furthermore, the onset of clinical effect is fect. For this reason, investigators use computer-
DRAFT
delayed, most likely due to slower equilibration assisted continuous infusion devices to achieve a
between the plasma and effect site.[13] Consequently, given steady-state plasma concentration. The user
it may be prudent to reduce remifentanil dosage for inputs the central compartment equilibration con-
elderly patients by one-half and extend the anticipat- stant for the opioid administered and the weight and
ed time to clinical effect by 50–100%. height of the patient.
Because the clearance of remifentanil is unal- The results from studies of the MAC-suppression
tered in the placental and fetal circulations, its properties of opioids are often reported as the opioid
respiratory-depressant effects upon the fetus are plasma concentration (ng/mL) required to reduce
short-lived, with little potential for recrudescence the MAC by a given percentage. To apply MAC-
following delivery. For this reason, remifentanil suppression data to clinical practice, it is necessary
may be a useful agent in the provision of patient- to know the infusion rate (µg/kg/min) and the infu-
controlled analgesia (PCA) to women in labour.[14] sion time necessary to establish a given opioid blood
Minimal alveolar concentration (MAC) is the concentration. Remifentanil blood concentration has
alveolar concentration of an inhalation anaesthetic been found to be proportional to the dose adminis-
required to prevent movement in response to nox- tered throughout the recommended dose range. Data
ious stimuli in 50% of subjects. Originally defined from Glass et al.[1] indicate that a remifentanil infu-
by Eger et al.,[15] it has become the standard measure sion rate of 0.1 µg/kg/min yields a blood concentra-
of volatile anaesthetic potency. Inadequate analgesia tion of 2.0–2.5 ng/mL, and that an incremental in-
during general anaesthesia is also detected by noting crease in the infusion rate of 0.1 µg/kg/min will raise
a response, whether autonomic (e.g. tachycardia and the remifentanil blood concentration by an addition-
tearing) or somatic (e.g. movement). Therefore, al 2.0–2.5 ng/mL. A change in the infusion rate will
MAC is, in effect, a measure of analgesia. Unlike be quickly translated at the effect site; once a change
the hypnotic effects of anaesthetic agents, which can of infusion rate is made, 5 minutes are required to
be monitored by clinical sedation measures (e.g. establish a new equilibrium at the effect site.
Ramsay sedation score) and/or real-time processing Lang et al.[17] found that a 50% reduction in
of EEG signals (e.g. Bispectral Index), analgesic isoflurane MAC may be achieved at a remifentanil
effects and MAC can be measured only by eliciting whole blood concentration of 1.37 ng/mL. Using
a response. data from the previous paragraph, this blood con-
Opioids modulate the response to noxious stimu- centration may be established by infusing remi-
li, primarily at the level of the brain stem and spinal fentanil 0.05–0.07 µg/kg/min for 5 minutes. Remi-
cord. Hence, all opioids, in a dose-dependent man- fentanil exerts a similar MAC-suppressant effect
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
6 Beers & Camporesi
1.50 S
S
F
S
S
FS
1.25 F
FS
S
FFSS
1.00 FSS
SF
S
FSFS SF
FS
SS S
0.75 S FS
FSS
F
FSSSSFS S
F
FSF F
S
FS FFSS
S S SF
0.50 FS FSFF SFS SS S
F S
FFSFFS FSSF S SSS S F SS
S S S F
FSS FFS
0.25 FSF SS
FF FSS FSSS F
F S S
S SS
S FS S S
F S SF S S
FFF FFF FFFSS S FSS F S F S FS
0 F F F
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Remifentanil concentration (ng/mL)
Fig. 2. The effect of increasing remifentanil whole-blood concentration on the isoflurane alveolar concentration necessary to prevent
DRAFT
movement in response to skin incision in 50% of patients (reproduced from Lang et al.,[17] with permission). F represents a patient who
moved; S represents a patient who did not move.
upon all volatile anaesthetic agents. For example, decreases isoflurane MAC by about 66%, whereas
Song and White[18] found that a remifentanil infu- doubling the plasma concentration from 3 ng/mL to
sion of 0.07 ± 0.03 µg/kg/min was associated with a 6 ng/mL produces only a further 11% reduction in
42% reduction in the desflurane anaesthetic require- MAC.[17] A remifentanil blood concentration as
ment. great as 32 ng/mL achieves only a 91% reduction in
The MAC-suppression effect of opioids may be the MAC of isoflurane.[17] Data such as these sup-
used to compare their potency. Katoh and port the concept that opioids may greatly diminish
Kazuyuki[19] found that sevoflurane MAC was re- hypnotic dosage requirements, but opioids alone
duced by 50% by a fentanyl plasma concentration of cannot produce a complete anaesthetic state without
1.8 ng/mL. McEwan et al.[20] found that isoflurane supplementation with a hypnotic agent (e.g. pro-
MAC was reduced by 50% by a fentanyl plasma pofol, barbiturate, benzodiazepine, volatile anaes-
concentration of 1.67 ng/mL. These data indicate thetics or nitrous oxide).
that the relative potency of remifentanil is slightly Using loss of consciousness as an endpoint rather
greater than that of fentanyl. For reference, a fenta- than movement in response to a surgical incision
nyl 1 ng/mL plasma concentration, which reduces (MAC), Wilhelm et al.[21] found that the dosages of
sevoflurane MAC by 37% and isoflurane MAC by hypnotics required to induce loss of consciousness
40%, may be achieved within 15 minutes by admin- were reduced when remifentanil 0.5 µg/kg/min was
istration of fentanyl 3 µg/kg followed by an infusion administered concomitantly. Remifentanil 0.5 µg/
of 1 µg/kg/hour. kg/min reduced the induction dosages of propofol,
As with all opioids, an initial small increase in thiopental and etomidate by 29%, 25% and 32%,
remifentanil plasma concentration produces a rela- respectively. Using a remifentanil infusion targeted
tively large reduction in MAC. However, as the to deliver a plasma concentration of 3 ng/mL (ap-
opioid plasma concentration increases, the MAC- proximately 0.12–0.15 µg/kg/min), Conway et al.[22]
reduction effect of remifentanil diminishes, and the found that the induction dosage of propofol was
curve describing the relation between opioid con- reduced by 29%; the dosage was reduced by 72%
centration and MAC displays a ‘ceiling effect’ (see after midazolam 0.03 mg/kg was given 4 minutes
figure 2). For example, an increase in the plasma prior to induction. The latter result demonstrates
concentration of remifentanil from 0 to 3 ng/mL synergy between hypnotics (e.g. midazolam and
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 7
propofol); the former shows synergy between opi- Short-term infusion of potent opioids, including
oids and hypnotics. Similarly, remifentanil de- remifentanil, may exacerbate postoperative pain or
creases the propofol concentration associated with mechanical hyperalgesia after opioids are discontin-
the return of consciousness in a synergistic man- ued.[27] This effect, termed withdrawal hyperalgesia,
ner.[23] may be relatively long lasting and associated with
The Bispectral Index, derived from processing increased postoperative pain and analgesic require-
the EEG signals obtained from superficial cortical ment for hours after opioid cessation.[28,29] This find-
cells, is a measure of the direct effect of hypnotics ing is not consistently reported, as other investiga-
on cerebrocortical electrophysiology. The Bispec- tors have found contradictory results.[30]
tral Index has been shown to correlate with the
sedative, amnesic and hypnotic effects of these 1. Clinical Utility
agents.[24]
The Bispectral Index may be used to demonstrate 1.1 Sedation and Analgesia
the synergy between hypnotics and opioids. Conway
DRAFT
et al.[22] titrated hypnotic dosage to loss of con- 1.1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages
sciousness with or without remifentanil infusion, Remifentanil may be used to provide sedation
monitoring the Bispectral Index. The Bispectral In- and analgesia (monitored anaesthesia care) for a
dex at which 50% of patients lost consciousness was wide variety of patients and procedures; it has sever-
found to be higher when remifentanil was adminis- al advantages over other hypnotics and opioids
tered. Remifentanil amplified the cortical hypnotic utilised for this purpose.
effects of propofol, but these effects were not de- Firstly, remifentanil has little or no direct action
tected by the Bispectral Index. This may be ex- on cerebral cortical cells and therefore exerts little
plained by the fact that opioid effects are primarily effect upon cognitive function.[24] Compared with
subcortical. hypnotics such as propofol, remifentanil is less like-
Koitabashi et al.,[25] after establishing a Bispec- ly to cause startle and disorientation during a proce-
tral Index between 60 and 70 using a propofol dure.[24] The sedative effects of remifentanil arise
infusion, identified a significant, dose-dependent indirectly by inhibition of ascending cortical activa-
decrease in Bispectral Index with increasing remi- tion from the reticular activating system.
fentanil dose. Again, this demonstrates enhance- Secondly, remifentanil infusion rate may be ef-
ment of the cortical effects of hypnotics by opioids. fectively titrated to respiratory rate (target range
Opioids have also been shown to suppress in- 8–12 breaths/min). Opioid-induced respiratory de-
creases in the Bispectral Index in response to nox- pression is observed at a lower plasma concentration
ious stimuli such as surgical incision and manipula- than EEG changes. As a consequence, patients may
tion.[24] Although manifested by a different mecha- be apnoeic, yet continue to respond to commands
nism, the effect of opioids upon sedation and such as “take a deep breath.” During remifentanil
hypnosis is similar to that of central neuraxial senso- administration to a spontaneously breathing patient,
ry blockade by local anaesthetics. Like opioids, epi- preservation of responsiveness may be necessary to
dural anaesthesia has been shown to decrease the maintain normoxia.
Bispectral Index-titrated dosage of hypnotics. For Thirdly, remifentanil infusion has been shown to
example, Hodgson and Liu[26] found that the sevo- be useful for sedation and analgesia during painful
flurane dose required to maintain the Bispectral procedures after which little or no pain is anticipat-
Index at 50 was significantly reduced (34%) by ed. Remifentanil infusion has been shown to be safe
epidural anaesthesia with lidocaine; these effects and effective during extracorporeal shock wave li-
could not be reproduced in a control group receiving thotripsy (ESWL),[31] minor gynaecological sur-
intravenous lidocaine. gery,[32] and prostatic and bladder biopsies.[33]
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
8 Beers & Camporesi
Smith et al.[34] compared propofol (25–75 µg/kg/ according to the investigators), chest wall rigidity,
min) and remifentanil (0.05–0.15 µg/kg/min) infu- and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).[38]
sion for sedation and analgesia during ambulatory 1.1.2 Interactions with Benzodiazepines
surgery. Intraoperative rescue analgesia was neces- Opioids do not provide adequate treatment for
sary less often in the remifentanil group, although anxiety. Nonetheless, benzodiazepines such as
patients reported equivalent levels of intraoperative midazolam have been shown to potentiate the ad-
comfort. Remifentanil patients were less sedated, verse respiratory effects of fentanyl.[39] Avramov et
but experienced greater respiratory depression. Ac- al.[40] investigated this interaction by administering a
cording to the investigators, hypoxia secondary to bolus dose of midazolam 2, 4 or 8mg immediately
hypoventilation was satisfactorily managed with preoperatively, then titrating the remifentanil infu-
supplemental oxygen. During the study, a 50-year- sion (commenced at 0.1 µg/kg/min), during breast
old patient transiently experienced a decline in SpO2 biopsy surgery. As expected, remifentanil dose re-
(oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry) quirements decreased when the corresponding
to <80%, but correction was rapid following tactile midazolam dose increased. In comparison with larg-
DRAFT
stimulation, verbal instruction and a decrease in the er pre-induction midazolam doses, midazolam 2mg
opioid infusion rate. provided adequate anxiolysis and amnesia while
Despite the aforementioned advantages, the use minimising adverse effects.
of remifentanil for sedation and analgesics has sev- 1.1.3 Regional Block
eral drawbacks. Bowdle et al.[35] and Schüttler et Remifentanil has been shown to be useful for the
al.[36] demonstrated the hazards of administering initial placement of ophthalmic blocks (e.g. retro-
remifentanil bolus doses to spontaneously breathing bulbar and peribulbar).[41] Remifentanil bolus (1 µg/
patients. These investigators found that bolus doses kg) was compared with the same bolus dose fol-
given for analgesia during immediate postoperative lowed by an infusion (0.2 µg/kg/min) and to al-
recovery resulted in a significantly high incidence of fentanil bolus 7 µg/kg. Patients receiving remi-
muscle rigidity, respiratory depression and apnoea. fentanil patients experienced fewer instances of
It may be safest to avoid bolus administration of pain, as might have been predicted given that the
remifentanil when the patient is not directly under analgesic potency of remifentanil is 20- to 30-fold
the observation of an anaesthesiologist or an appro- that of alfentanil.[42] However, respiratory depres-
priately trained provider, especially when the patient sion (respiratory rate [RR] <8 breaths/min) was
is breathing spontaneously or airway access is com- experienced by 15–20% of patients following remi-
promised. In addition, since a change in the infusion fentanil administered as a bolus.
rate of remifentanil is rapidly translated at the effect The efficacy and safety of remifentanil infusion
site, the benefit of bolus administration is reduced. have been compared with those of propofol infusion
for sedation and analgesia during and after the
This fact further alters the cost-to-benefit ratio in
placement of a regional block (axillary, ankle or
favour of administration by infusion rather than
spinal block).[43] Comparing the beneficial and ad-
bolus. Nonetheless, bolus administration of remi-
verse effects of various remifentanil dosages, these
fentanil has been shown to be safe and effective
investigators found that optimal results were ob-
when an anaesthesiologist is in attendance, breath-
tained at an infusion rate of 0.1 µg/kg/min. Remi-
ing is controlled or assisted, and the noxious stimu- fentanil provided more effective analgesia without
lus occurs during a well circumscribed period of excessive sedation.
time (e.g. laryngoscopy and intubation).[37] Holas et al.[44] compared continuous infusions of
Compared with propofol infusion for sedation propofol or remifentanil or both for sedation and
and analgesia, the disadvantages of remifentanil in- analgesia during cataract surgery under retrobulbar
cluded mild pruritus (which was easily managed, block. The greatest benefit with the least adverse
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 9
effects was found with a combination of the two sedation and analgesia in a 61-year-old man under-
drugs at reduced dosages (remifentanil 0.025 µg/kg/ going an ‘awake’ temporal-parietal craniotomy for
min and propofol 16.7 µg/kg/min). tumour resection. Patient responsiveness was neces-
sary to assess the patient’s speech functionality
1.1.4 Subarachnoid Block
during surgery. The unique ease of titration of remi-
In the presence of a successful subarachnoid fentanil enabled effective analgesia during painful
block, remifentanil may exacerbate the vagotonic events (e.g. application of the head clamp) and suffi-
effects of a mid- or upper thoracic block level. In the cient responsiveness during speech mapping.
authors’ opinion, it may be prudent to avoid remi-
fentanil infusion in this clinical setting. However, 1.2 Supplementation of
remifentanil may be useful, albeit in a reduced dos- General Anaesthesia
age (0.025 µg/kg/min), if the patient experiences a
partial or ‘patchy’ block, early block regression, or
1.2.1 Advantages
musculoskeletal discomfort associated with pro-
Remifentanil is used clinically as a supplement to
longed recumbency.
DRAFT
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
10 Beers & Camporesi
similar results comparing remifentanil and fentanyl incidence of bradycardia was significantly reduced
after general anaesthesia supplemented with either when glycopyrrolate 0.2mg was administered prior
sevoflurane or propofol. to induction. In treated hypertensive patients in-
In addition to these drawbacks, economic factors duced with propofol and relaxed with rocuronium,
must be considered in relation to the clinical use of Maguire et al.[55] found similar results in patients
remifentanil. Although the superior pharmaco- receiving remifentanil (bolus 0.5 mg/kg followed by
kinetics of remifentanil may reduce, in comparison an infusion of 0.1 µg/kg/min) versus alfentanil 10
with other opioids, the costs of recovery personnel µg/kg bolus.
and adverse-effect management, its use entails In a study of 40 elderly (aged >65 years) patients
higher overall costs.[52,53] Costs associated with induced with propofol and relaxed with rocuronium,
remifentanil use include both the acquisition cost Habib et al.[56] compared remifentanil bolus (0.5 µg/
and the cost of equipment and supplies needed to kg over 30 seconds) followed by an infusion (0.1 µg/
administer the drug. kg/min) with alfentanil bolus (10 µg/kg over 30
seconds). Both regimens effectively blunted the res-
In addition, there may be a significant learning
ponse to laryngoscopy and intubation. Although the
curve associated with the introduction of remi- incidence of hypotension was similar between
fentanil and its unique pharmacokinetic qualities to groups, mild hypotension (systolic blood pressure
anaesthesia clinical practice. Most notably, as <100mm Hg) occurred in 50% of study patients and
clinicians acquired greater experience using this marked hypotension (systolic blood pressure
drug to supplement general anaesthesia in an outpa- <80mm Hg) occurred in 3 of 40 patients (8%).
tient surgery setting, the need for ‘rescue analgesia’ These findings may highlight the greater sensitivity
after emergence was reduced.[54] The investigators of elderly patients to the haemodynamic effects of
postulated that a better understanding of the evanes- opioids.
cent nature of the analgesic effect of remifentanil The combination of remifentanil and propofol for
may not only reduce the incidence of pain, but may induction has been shown to provide adequate con-
also reduce the incidence of PONV. In this learning ditions for laryngoscopy and intubation without
curve study, many of the clinician subjects received concomitant muscle relaxants. Alexander et al.[57]
5 hours of training prior to their clinical use of reported excellent intubating conditions in 95% of
remifentanil. This suggests that the learning curve adult patients within 60 seconds following adminis-
may have been even broader without prior instruc- tration of remifentanil 4 µg/kg or 5 µg/kg and pro-
tion. pofol 2 mg/kg. Klemola et al.[58] compared intubat-
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 11
ing conditions in 60 atropine-pretreated patients versus fentanyl. Montes et al.[66] found similar re-
after administration of remifentanil 3 µg/kg, remi- covery profiles between patients who received
fentanil 4 µg/kg or alfentanil 30 µg/kg over 30 TIVA with propofol and remifentanil and those who
seconds immediately followed by propofol 2.5 mg/ received treatment with a conventional technique
kg. Remifentanil 4µg/kg blunted cardiovascular re- using fentanyl 2 µg/kg pre-induction (plus 1 µg/kg
sponses and provided satisfactory intubating condi- as needed intraoperatively) with propofol for induc-
tions in 93% of patients. The decreases in blood tion and sevoflurane for maintenance. During outpa-
pressure following study drug administration (sys- tient suspension laryngoscopy, Mackey et al.[67]
tolic and diastolic blood pressure reductions of 20% compared remifentanil infusion 0.25 µg/kg/min
and 25%, respectively) were deemed clinically ac- with fentanyl boluses at doses (up to 250µg) for
ceptable. Without glycopyrrolate pretreatment, Mc- supplementation of general anaesthesia maintained
Neil et al.[59] compared remifentanil 2 µg/kg or 4 µg/
with propofol. This procedure is generally under-
kg with succinylcholine 1 mg/kg immediately fol-
taken for patients with a history of tobacco abuse
lowing induction with propofol 2 mg/kg in 60
and cardiovascular disease, and intraoperative surgi-
DRAFT
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
12 Beers & Camporesi
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 13
fentanil infusion to supplement general anaesthesia paratively little effect upon SSEPs and MEPs, and
for a combined carotid endarterectomy and coronary are important components of anaesthetic techniques
artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure. Use of designed to optimise the conditions under which
remifentanil allowed early postoperative neuro- these potentials are monitored.[77] Propofol, in low
logical evaluation of the patient and excellent hae- dosages, also has relatively little effect upon MEPs.
modynamic control typical of a high-dose opioid TIVA techniques combining propofol and opioid
anaesthetic technique. infusions have been shown to produce acceptable
When remifentanil was compared with propofol conditions for monitoring MEPs.[78]
for sedation during carotid endarterectomy under When MEPs are monitored intraoperatively, gen-
cervical plexus block, the drawbacks were found to eral anaesthesia is maintained without the use of
outweigh the advantages. Krenn et al.[75] found a neuromuscular blocking agents. Somatic responses
higher incidence of bradycardia (heart rate 30–35 to surgical stimuli may be undesirable because of
beats/min) and respiratory depression (<6 breaths/ the delicate nature of the surgery and the fact that
min) in patients receiving remifentanil 0.05 µg/kg/ patients may be immobilised in a head clamp or
min versus propofol 16.7 µg/kg/min. Because of the
DRAFT
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
14 Beers & Camporesi
sive care unit (ICU) and reduce the morbidity asso- criteria for extubation. According to the authors, the
ciated with tracheal intubation and mechanical ven- rapid offset of clinical effect for remifentanil made
tilation.[80] Remifentanil may be useful to maintain for a problematic transition to an alternate analgesic
haemodynamic stability during periods of intense regimen. More patients in the remifentanil group
stimulation and to minimise opiate-induced respira- experienced postoperative shivering and hyperten-
tory depression during immediate postoperative re- sion. However, the incidences of ischaemia and
covery. adverse cardiac outcomes were not different be-
Nonetheless, two studies suggest that remi- tween groups, and the length of ICU stay was also
fentanil is an unsuitable drug for bolus administra- similar. Myles et al.[83] compared low-dose fentanyl
tion in patients with coronary artery disease, espe- (12 µg/kg), moderate-dose fentanyl (24 µg/kg) and
cially those receiving β-adrenoceptor antagonists, remifentanil infusion (0.83 µg/kg/min) as supple-
calcium channel antagonists, and/or ACE inhibitors. ments to propofol infusion in 77 patients undergoing
After induction of anaesthesia with propofol, Elliott CABG. Interestingly, Bispectral Index monitoring
et al.[48] found that a remifentanil bolus injection of 1 was utilised to titrate the intraoperative hypnotic
DRAFT
mcg/kg ((Author: mcg/kg or mg/kg?))resulted in (propofol) dose. The intraoperative incidence of hy-
severe hypotension and markedly reduced systemic pertension and rate of cortisol excretion were signif-
vascular resistance in three subjects, one of whom icantly reduced in the patients receiving remi-
developed bradycardia and transient ST segment fentanil. However, the incidence of intraoperative
changes. Wang et al.[81] found that remifentanil, hypotension and the need for vasopressor support
administered as a bolus of 0.5 mg/kg following were higher in the remifentanil group, and times to
sevoflurane inhalation induction, produced signifi- extubation and ICU discharge were similar between
cantly greater bradycardia and reduction in mean groups. In a multicentre study of 304 patients under-
systemic blood pressure than a technique using fen- going coronary bypass surgery, Cheng et al.[84] com-
tanyl, etomidate and isoflurane in patients scheduled pared remifentanil 1 µg/kg/min and fentanyl admin-
for coronary artery surgery and receiving routine istered by intermittent boluses (total intraoperative
anti-anginal therapy (excluding ACE inhibitors). doses 10–15 µg/kg). Perioperative complications
Severe perturbations included one patient who de- (stratified by age and preoperative risk score), times
veloped asystole for 24 seconds and two who show- to extubation, ICU and home discharge, and re-
ed ECG evidence of acute myocardial ischaemia source utilisation (determined by nursing ratios)
during a hypotensive episode. Both authors attribut- were all similar between groups.
ed these adverse events to the central vagotonic and In the study by Michelson et al.,[85] initiation of
sympatholytic effects of remifentanil. cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) increased the
Remifentanil continuous infusion has been com- steady-state volume of distribution of remifentanil
pared with low- (10–20 µg/kg) and medium- (20–30 by 86%. However, hypothermia during bypass de-
µg/kg) dose fentanyl administration for supplemen- creased the clearance rate of remifentanil by approx-
tation of general anaesthesia for CABG. In 321 imately 6% for every degree that body temperature
patients undergoing CABG, Mollhoff et al.[82] com- was reduced below 37ºC.[85] Therefore, the clinician
pared remifentanil (mean intraoperative infusion may continue the infusion at normothermic rates
rate 1.25 µg/kg/min) with fentanyl (mean intraoper- until plasma concentration is restored following ini-
ative dose 12 µg/kg) as a supplement to propofol tiation of bypass, then reduce the rate as determined
administered at 50 µg/kg/min. Although intraopera- by the extent of hypothermia. For the hypothetical
tive haemodynamic responses to surgical manipula- 70kg patient receiving remifentanil 1 µg/kg/min for
tion were better controlled in patients receiving 60 minutes prior to initiation of CPB with core
remifentanil infusion, remifentanil patients needed a temperature reduction to 27°C, the authors recom-
longer median time to meet postoperative eligibility mended that the remifentanil infusion rate may be
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 15
reduced by 60% to reflect the hypothermic condi- 1.3.8 Postoperative Pain Management
tions within 5–10 minutes after initiation of CPB. The rapid dissipation of opioid effects following
For milder hypothermia (e.g. cooling to 32ºC), remi- remifentanil infusion creates challenges in post-
fentanil infusion should be maintained at the operative pain control. Bowdle et al.[35] and Schütter
normothermic rate for 25 minutes to compensate for et al.[36] recommended against providing analgesia
the increase in the volume of distribution prior to after remifentanil-supplemented general anaesthesia
reducing the rate by 30% to reflect hypothermia. by reducing the remifentanil dosage to 0.05–0.15
µg/kg/min and extending the infusion into the post-
1.3.7 Obstetric Analgesia operative recovery phase. These investigators found
Remifentanil administered by a PCA device has a 29% incidence of adverse respiratory events (RR
been studied as an analgesic during labour and de- <12 breaths/min, SpO2< 90%, and apnoea). The
livery.[14,86-88] Blair et al.[86] found that PCA remi- incidence of apnoea was 7%, with 9 of 11 apnoeic
fentanil provided effective analgesia, with inci- episodes occurring following administration of
dences of emesis and pruritus comparable to those remifentanil by bolus. The noncontinuous presence
of other perinatally-administered opioids. Fetal of an anaesthesiologist, the need for additional infu-
DRAFT
heart rates, Apgar scores, and fetal cord pH values sion equipment, and the potential for life-threaten-
were all satisfactory; no baby required naloxone to ing consequences due to dosage errors or equipment
establish spontaneous respiration. Optimal analgesia malfunction decrease the appeal of this post-
was obtained with a demand PCA bolus dose of operative analgesia strategy.
0.25–0.5 µg/kg, a lockout time of 2 minutes, and no Postoperative pain control may be best under-
continuous infusion. When administered as a contin- taken by pre-emptive measures. An alternative strat-
uous infusion to labouring patients, neither neonatal egy may be to administer (a) longer-acting
respiratory depression nor a decrease in Apgar analgesic(s) intraoperatively with the goal of
scores was reported following delivery.[14] achieving maximal analgesic effect shortly after
In contrast, Olufolabi et al.[88] found that remi- emergence. In 80 patients undergoing major abdo-
fentanil PCA for labour analgesia was both ineffec- minal surgery, Albrecht et al.[89] compared pain con-
tive and associated with significant adverse effects, trol and recovery profile following fentanyl 150µg,
and suggested that remifentanil is unsuitable as a morphine 15mg, piritramide 15mg, or bupre-
systemic analgesic for labour. In addition, all the norphine 300µg given 20 minutes before emergence
investigators cited in this section emphasised cau- from general anaesthesia supplemented with remi-
tion and the importance of continuous respiratory fentanil infusion. Each of the longer-acting opioid
rate and oxygen saturation monitoring of labouring regimens provided effective and comparable post-
patients receiving remifentanil PCA.[14,86-88] operative analgesia without adversely affecting re-
Thurlow et al.[14] compared remifentanil PCA covery parameters and facilitated the smooth transi-
(demand dose 20µg, lockout interval 3 minutes, and tion to standard PCA analgesia prior to the PACU
no background infusion) with intramuscular meper- discharge. In a study of 553 patients undergoing
idine 100mg for treatment of pain during labour. elective major abdominal surgery under remi-
Remifentanil PCA was found to be an acceptable fentanil-supplemented general anaesthesia, Kochs et
alternative when epidural analgesia was contraindi- al.[90] compared pain control and recovery profile
cated. Reduced fetal heart rate variability may be between fentanyl 150µg and morphine 15mg given
anticipated during the period of remifentanil peak 25 minutes before the end of surgery. A second dose
effect (1.5 minutes following a bolus); however, the of either morphine 7mg or fentanyl 50µg was given
rapid pharmacodynamic offset of remifentanil al- if patients reported moderate-to-severe pain after
lows the clinician to distinguish between opioid- emergence; 90–96% of patients requested the
induced fetal heart rate variability and that resulting second analgesic dose within 20–30 minutes after
from adverse fetal circumstances. emergence. Although analgesic efficacy and recov-
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
16 Beers & Camporesi
ery profiles were similar between patients who re- ative remifentanil supplementation. In children aged
ceived either morphine or fentanyl, a significantly 1–12 years undergoing major abdominal, orthopae-
greater proportion of patients receiving morphine dic or urological surgery under general anaesthesia
reported no pain or mild pain during the recovery with nitrous oxide and isoflurane, Prys-Roberts et
period. Muñoz et al.[91] demonstrated a 50% reduc- al.[95] found that remifentanil supplementation was
tion in the need for opioid analgesia in the PACU if as effective as epidural bupivacaine for suppression
morphine was given >40 minutes before emergence of the haemodynamic response to surgical stimuli.
from anaesthesia. As a supplement to general anaesthesia for pae-
diatric patients, remifentanil has been used for pro-
1.3.9 Paediatric Anaesthesia and Analgesia
cedures such as cardiac catheterisation[96] and bone
Safe and effective use of remifentanil in preterm
marrow aspiration.[97] In spontaneously breathing
infants has been reported.[92] In children aged 2–12
paediatric patients, remifentanil 0.5 µg/kg/min in
years, Muñoz et al.[93] found that the remifentanil
conjunction with intermittent propofol boluses
dosage required to suppress haemodynamic and so-
(0.5–1.0 mg/kg) has been found to provide safe and
matic responses to skin incision is 2-fold that re-
DRAFT
0.8
0.7 taneously breathing patients undergoing painful pro-
0.6 cedures under intravenous analgesia and sedation.
IR50 Profound analgesia may be provided with minimal
0.5
0.4 effect upon the cognitive function. Remifentanil
0.3 may be useful for sedation and analgesia during
0.2 Adults placement of regional anaesthetic blocks. In con-
Children
0.1 junction with topical anaesthesia and airway nerve
0 blocks, it may also be useful to blunt reflex re-
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 sponses and facilitate ‘awake’ fibreoptic intubation.
Remifentanil (µg/kg/min)
When combined with a hypnotic agent, remifentanil
Fig. 3. The percentage of patients with no somatic response to skin
incision compared with the infusion rate (IR) of remifentanil. The
may be used to supplement general anaesthesia.
individual data points show the real percentage of nonresponders Remifentanil may effectively attenuate autonomic
at each dose. The solid and dashed lines indicate the dose-res- and somatic responses to noxious anaesthetic proce-
ponse relationships predicted by logistic regression in both groups.
The two dotted lines show the IR needed to prevent response in
dures (e.g. laryngoscopy and intubation) and surgi-
50% and 95% of patients (reproduced from Muñoz et al.,[93] with cal stimuli for a circumscribed period of time. By
permission). reducing the hypnotic dosage during general anaes-
2004 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved. CNS Drugs 2004; 18 (15)
Remifentanil Update 17
Table II. The recommended doses and modes of administration of remifentanil for various clinical applications
Clinical application Remifentanil infusion Remifentanil bolus Comments
(µg/kg/min) (µg/kg)
Sedation and analgesia 0.05–0.15 NR If clinically appropriate, consider pre-procedure
anxiolysis with midazolam 2mg IV
Sedation and analgesia for regional 0.1 NR Alternatively, remifentanil 0.025 µg/kg/min +
blockade propofol 16.7 µg/kg/min
Sedation and analgesia for NR NR Remifentanil 0.025 µg/kg/min for analgesia for
subarachnoid block ‘breakthrough’ pain
Sedation and analgesia for fibreoptic 0.075 0.75 (over 30 Pre-procedure treatment with glycopyrrolate
intubation seconds) 0.2mg IV + midazolam up to 2mg IV
Supplementation of inhalation or IV 0.1–0.25 ≤1 Glycopyrrolate 0.2mg prior to induction
general anaesthesia
Blunting response to laryngoscopy and 0.1–0.25 0.5 Glycopyrrolate 0.2mg prior to induction
intubation with muscle relaxation
Blunting response to laryngoscopy and None 4 Glycopyrrolate 0.2mg prior to induction
intubation without muscle relaxant
DRAFT
Analgesia for labour and delivery via NR 0.25–0.5 Continuous monitoring of pulse oximetry and
patient-controlled analgesia respiratory rate recommended
Cardiac procedures with 0.83–1.0 NR Glycopyrrolate 0.2mg prior to induction
cardiopulmonary bypass
Postoperative analgesia NR NR Use of remifentanil is not recommended in this
setting
Elderly patients See comments See comments Reduce dosages by one-half and double
anticipated time to peak effect
Paediatric patients (2–12 years old) See comments See comments May require as much as twice the dosage
required for patients of other ages
IV = intravenous; NR = not recommended.
thesia, the undesirable effects of these agents (e.g. little or no postoperative pain is anticipated, the
dose-dependent negative inotropy, vasodilatation, clinician may wish to treat prospectively using local
and impairment of MEP and SSEP monitoring) may or regional anaesthesia, non-opioid analgesics, or
be minimised. More rapid and improved cognitive longer-acting opioid analgesics.
recovery may facilitate early assessment of post- The clinical advantages of remifentanil may be
operative neurologic function. maximised and its disadvantages reduced by acquir-
When remifentanil is used to supplement general ing a firm understanding of the properties of this
anaesthesia in the ambulatory surgery setting, ad- agent.
vantages include improved intraoperative haemo-
dynamic control, reduced emergence time, and few- Acknowledgements
er incidences of respiratory depression during post-
There were no sources of funding for this article. The
anaesthetic recovery. However, remifentanil pro- authors have no potential conflicts of interest directly related
vided no benefit with regard to home discharge time, to the contents of this manuscript.
incidence of adverse effects, or patient and provider
satisfaction. Intraoperative drug costs were higher References
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DRAFT
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88. Olufolabi AJ, Booth JV, Wakeling HG, et al. A preliminary Correspondence and offprints: Dr Richard Beers , SUNY
investigation of remifentanil as a labor analgesic. Anesth Ana- Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
lg 2000; 91: 60-8 E-mail: beersr@upstate.edu
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