1996 Volume 3 Issue 1 Pages 43-46
The sedative effects and pharmacokinetics of midazolam, continuously administered for one week, were examined in 5 patients with burns under mechanical ventilation. Initially 0.2mg·kg-1 of midazolam was administered intravenously then additional midazolam was injected at a rate of 0.2±0.05mg·kg-1·hr-1 over one week. No significant changes were observed in blood pressure or heart rate in any patients during the infusion period. Plasma concentrations of midazolam which were analyzed using high performance gas chromatography remained stable with a mean value of 1179.5±244ng·ml-1 (mean±SD). Mean plasma concentrations of midazolam decreased rapidly to about 70% of the initial level one hour after the infusion was terminated, and to about 50% four hours after.
In conclusion, continuous infusion of midazolam in doses of 0.2±0.05mg·kg-1 was very effective for the sedation of patients with burns under mechanical ventilation, causing minimal side effects on the cardiovascular system and resulting in rapid recovery of consciousness.
