Propofol for sedation

Letters

CJEM 1999;1(3):163

To the editor:

In the July issue of CJEM, Innes stated that he was unaware of any Canadian emergency physicians who are permitted to use propofol.¹ In fact, we have used propofol for procedural sedation and as an induction agent for intubation since 1995. Among our emergency physicians it has become the agent of choice (in combination with appropriate analgesia), particularly for orthopedic procedures. Although we have not been tracking its use, we are unaware of any adverse outcomes. Due to its rapid onset, short duration, and ease of titration, we find it easier to employ when one physician performs the procedure while another manages the sedation.

We have been performing policy-driven conscious sedation since the mid-1980s. Our procedural sedation policy was written in consultation with our Anesthesia Department and has their approval. Although the policy does not refer to the use of specific agents, our anesthetists have not objected to our use of propofol. In fact, they (and our surgeons) have grown to expect it and depend on it!

Steve Socransky, MD
Gary Bota, MD
Sudbury Regional Hospital
Sudbury, Ont.

Reference

1. Innes G. Emergency department sedation guidelines: a tale of two specialties [editorial]. CJEM 1999;1(2):88,136-9.