PSA is the use of analgesics, sedatives, and dissociative agents to perform urgent painful and emotionally challenging procedures on patients in a humane, safe and controlled fashion.

What makes PSA possible in the ED is the comfort of EM docs with a host of sedative agents and the ability to prepare for and handle any complications stemming from sedation.

For quick reference we’ve distilled the most commonly used PSA meds their doses and some of their nuances.

Sedative Medication Intial Dose Maintinence Dose Comments Contraindications
Propofol 0.5-1.0 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg every 1-2 min prn Very short acting, favor in short procedures, muscle relaxation, no analagsia, may worsen hypotension Soy, egg allergy
Ketamine 1.5 to 2.0 mg/kg IV in children 1.0-1.5 mg/kg IV in adults, administered over 30 to 60 seconds 4-5mg/kg IM 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg for longer procedures Favor for longer procedures, maintence of airway reflexes; avoid if hypertension or tachycardia are a concern Age under 3 months
Etomidate 0.1-0.15 mg/kg IV 0.05 mg/kg q2-3 min prn Fast acting, myoclonus, hypertonicity common, associated with post-procedure emesis
Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg over
10 minutes
0.6 mcg/kg/hr infusion; titrate to effect with 0.2-1 mcg/kg/hr Can be stimulated while sedated; can cause bradycardia, hypotension Bradycardia
Midazolam 0.05 mg/kg IV 0.05 mg/kg q3-5 min prn Relatively slower onset, potent anterograde amnesia

Vital to safe and effective PSA is preparation. Checklists are an indispensible tool to help methodically ready our patients, our collegues, our environment and ourselves to perform vigalent and controlled PSA. Ruben Strayer From emupdates.com has prepared the PSA checklist that we find the most compelling.

Part one covers how to think about and prepare for PSA, including a discussion of fasting guidelines.

Part two describes how patients are harmed during PSA and how to prevent patients from being harmed during PSA.

Part three discusses contemporary PSA pharmacology.

References

  • Godwin SA, et al. Clinical policy: procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department. Ann Emerg Med. 2014;63:(2)247-58.e18. PMID: 24438649
  • Green SM et al. Inadvertent ketamine overdose in children: clinical manifestations and outcome. Ann Emerg Med 1999; 34: 492-7. PMID: 10499950
  • Green SM et al. Clinical practice guideline for emergency department ketamine dissociative sedation: 2011 update. Ann Emerg Med. 2011;57:(5)449-61. PMID: 21256625
  • Green SM et al. Ketamine and intracranial pressure: no contraindication except hydrocephalus. Ann Emerg Med. 2015;65:(1)52-4. PMID: 25245275
  • Green SM, Andolfatto G. Managing propofol-induced hypoventilation. Ann Emerg Med 2015; 65(1): 57-60. PMID: 25017824
  • Mason KP et al. Intramuscular dexmetotomidine sedation for pediatric MRI and CT. AJR 2011; 197(3): 720-5. PMID: 21862817
  • Miner JR et al. Randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial of propofol, 1:1 propofol/ketamine, and 4:1 propofol/ketamine for deep procedural sedation in the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med 2015; PMID: 25441247
  • Mohr NM, Wessman B. Continuous capnography should be used for every emergency department procedural sedation. Ann Emerg Med 2013; 61(6): 697-8. PMID: 23684325
  • Pantanwala AE et al. Age-related differences in propofol dosing for procedural sedation in the emergency department. J Emerg Med 2013; 44(4): 823-8. PMID: 233333181
  • Terp S, Schriger DL. Routine cpanographic monitoring is not indicated for all patients undergoing emergency department procedural sedation. Ann Emerg Med 2013; 61(6): 697-9. PMID: 23684326
  • Witting MD. The sensitivity of room-air pulse oximetry in the detection of hypercapnia. Am J Emerg Med 2005; 23:497-500. PMID: 16032619
  • Yates AM et al. A descriptive study of myoclonus associated with etomidate procedural sedation in the ED. Am J Emerg Med. 2013;31:(5)852-4. PMID: 23558062
  • http://www.precedex.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Procedural-Sedation-dosing-Card.pdf