Title: Low Dose Fentanyl Infusion Used for Sedation during Mechanical Ventilation Leading to Asynchronous Ventilation - A Case Report

Authors: Akhileshwar, Swati Singh, Sanjay Kumar

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i12.138

Abstract

Fentanyl induced chest wall rigidity is more commonly observed on high bolus dose of intravenous fentanyl. We report  here  a  case  of  asynchronous ventilation  on  low dose fentanyl  infusion  used  for  sedation  in  intensive care unit. Ventilation improved only with neuromuscular relaxation and on cessation of fentanyl. We suggest to have high degree of suspicion for this potentially life threatening side effect of fentanyl on use of this drug.

Keywords: Fentanyl; Mechanical ventilation; chest wall rigidity

Key Messages:  Low dose intravenous fentanyl infusion is capable of producing chest wall rigidity.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Swati Singh

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