Reversal for Respiratory Depression: Let’s Take a Breath!

Editorial| June 2024 Reversal for Respiratory Depression: Let's Take a Breath! This article has an Audio Podcast Thomas K. Henthorn, M.D. Thomas K. Henthorn, M.D. 1Departments of Anesthesiology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado. Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Author and Article Information Accepted for publication March 7, 2024. This editorial accompanies the article on p. 1076. This article has a related Infographic on p. A16. Address correspondence to Dr. Henthorn: Anesthesiology June 2024, Vol. 140, 1059–1061. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000004984 Connected Content Article: Reversal of Propofol-induced Depression of the Hypoxic Ventilatory Response by BK-channel Blocker ENA-001: A Randomized Controlled Trial Infographic: Rev It Up! A Novel Drug to Improve Respiratory Drive during Propofol Sedation Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Thomas K. Henthorn; Reversal for Respiratory Depression: Let's Take a Breath!. Anesthesiology 2024; 140:1059–1061 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000004984 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsAnesthesiology Search Advanced Search Topics: respiratory depression Respiratory depression during and after sedation and anesthesia is a recognized problem. We need look no further than the American Society of Anesthesiologists guidelines for anesthesia, sedation, and the postanesthesia care unit, which include continuous monitoring for oxygen saturation and capnography.1,2 This level of surveillance is necessary because all hypnotic and opioid analgesic medications have the potential to produce life-threatening depression of ventilatory drive, and interventions need to be quickly and effectively instituted when respiratory depression is first detected. It stands to reason, then, that if a drug could partially or largely reverse the respiratory depressive effects of anesthetics, hypnotics, and opioids, they should be administered frequently as reversal agents for neuromuscular blockade. A recent review in Anesthesiology detailed the growing interest in developing safe and effective reversal agents that promote emergence from general anesthesia and deep sedation.3 Encouraging preclinical results with orexin,4 a hypothalamic... You do not currently have access to this content.