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Review
. 1989 Mar;36(2):165-85.
doi: 10.1007/BF03011441.

Respiratory depression and spinal opioids

R C Etches  1 , A N Sandler, M D Daley
Affiliations
Review

Respiratory depression and spinal opioids

R C Etches et al. Can J Anaesth. 1989 Mar.

Abstract

Administration of epidural and intrathecal opioids may provide excellent postoperative analgesia, but a minority of patients will suffer dangerous respiratory depression. This review discusses the detection and measurement of respiratory depression and summarizes the relevant literature as it pertains to epidural and intrathecal opioid administration. The respiratory depressant effects and pharmacokinetics of spinal opioids are reviewed. The clinical implications and areas of future investigation are discussed.

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References

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