Serious Adverse Events Attributed to Remifentanil Patient-controlled Analgesia During Labour in The Netherlands

Abstract

(Int J Obstet Anesth. 2019;39:22–28) Although epidural analgesia remains the preferred method of labor analgesia, remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a popular alternative due to its quick onset and rapid metabolic properties. Remifentanil PCA has been used in Europe for several years, but its safety has been questioned by some due to concerns about potential serious side effects, such as respiratory depression for both mother and neonate. Since the current rate of serious adverse events (SAEs) connected to remifentanil PCA use during labor is unknown, the current investigators conducted this study to measure the frequency of SAEs, as well as examine the clinical circumstances associated with SAEs and the management of those events.