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Review
. 2008 Sep;107(3):956-61.
doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e318168b443.

Respiratory depression after neuraxial opioids in the obstetric setting

Affiliations
Review

Respiratory depression after neuraxial opioids in the obstetric setting

Brendan Carvalho. Anesth Analg. 2008 Sep.

Abstract

Neuraxial opioids have contributed significantly to improved labor and postcesarean delivery analgesia. In the obstetric population, epidural and intrathecal opioids are associated with a very low risk of clinically significant respiratory depression. Although rare, respiratory depression is a serious risk; patients may die or suffer permanent brain damage as a consequence. This review discusses the mechanism and incidence, as well as the prevention, detection, and management of respiratory depression with morphine, extended-release epidural morphine, and lipophilic opioids in the labor and cesarean delivery setting.

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