Title: Fentanyl and the Neurologically Injured Patient<br/>Author: Mike Winters<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/141/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<b>Fentanyl and the Neurologically Injured Patient</b><br />
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Emergency providers routinely care for neurologically injured patients, such as those with a SAH or TBI.</li>
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Many of these patients will require airway management. In these patients, it is important to minimize any increase in ICP, as this can adversely effect cerebral perfusion pressure. </li>
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When intubating the neurocritical care patient, consider a dose of fentanyl (2 to 5 mcg/kg) prior to intubation. This has been shown to decrease the sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy.</li>
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<fieldset><legend>References</legend>
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Bucher J, Koyfman A. Intubation of the neurologically injured patient. <i>J Emerg Med</i> 2016; 49:920-7.</p>
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