Deep sedation with propofol by pediatric intensive care physician during magnetic resonance imaging procedures: a prospective experience.

Purpose: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a propofol based protocol for deep sedation in spontaneously breathing children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures under the direction of the intensive care pediatrician.Methods: Propofol sedation was prospectively studied in 36 MRI procedures. Sedation was induced with 3 mg/k of propofol infused over 6 minutes and maintained with infusion of propofol between 1 and 10 mg/k/h rate. Results: All procedures were completed without any adverse event. The average time for sedation was 30 minutes. The average maintenance rate was 4.99 mg/k/h. The average total dose of propofol was 5.3 mg/k. All patients were in normal ward after MRI procedure. No side effects were observed in recovery period and all patients were discharged in less than two hours.Conclusion: Propofol infusion for sedation in children undergoing MRI procedures can be considered save and acceptable under the direction of intensive care pediatrician.