Episode 13: Opioids part 1
Anesthesia and Critical Care Reviews and Commentary (ACCRAC) Podcast
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The Effects of Opiates on the Respiratory System
Opiates decrease the response to hypercapnea and hypoxia. apnea comes before unconsciousness with opiates, but it takes quite a high dose to cause unconsciousness. Cumulative doses of fentanyl above about 20 mics per kilo are pretty effective in being predictive for the need for post-op ventilation. Once you get that high, you've depressed the respiratory drive to an extent that it really is going to be depressed for many hours.
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