Sedation for Brainstem Evoked Auditory Response (BEAR) Testing Using Intravenous Pentobarbital

Sedation Protocol:

• Versed: 0.1mg/kg IV
• Induction: 2mg/kg IV in children <1 year; 3mg/kg IV in children >1year
• Maintenance phase: 1mg/kg IV every 3 to 5 minutes with a maximal dose of 8mg/kg or 200 mg

Definition of terms:

• Failed Sedation: A case in which a patient is inadequately sedated after receiving maximum required dosages such that the test cannot be completed.
• Paradoxical Reaction: Also known as 'pentobarbital rage' is defined as a patient experiencing sustained, inconsolable, and severe irritability or combativeness. This can occur anywhere between 30 minutes after administration of pentobarbital to post recovery phase.
• Prolonged Sedation: A case in which either the patient cannot be discharged 3 hours after administration of the last sedating medication. It could also be a case in which patient is not back to baseline in 24 hours.
• Hypoxia: This is defined as a sustained decrease in oxygen saturation (>30 seconds) of more than 10% from baseline.
• Time to goal sedation: Time in minutes from initial administration of midazolam to the achievement of adequate sedation of the patient/start of procedure.
• Time to recovery: time in minutes from the last dose of pentobarbital to recovery of baseline status.
• Time to discharge: Time in minutes from administration of midazolam to discharge of patient from recovery room.