Podcast 702: Paralytic Awareness

Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Known risk factors for being awake and paralyzed in the OR include only receiving IV medications, long-acting paralytics, and no formal monitoring system for being awake The ED-AWARENESS study, a prospective single-center study found 2.6% of patients with induced paralysis during mechanical ventilation were aware Rocuronium was a risk factor for developing awareness while paralyzed in this study Ensure adequate sedation during paralysis for mechanical ventilation in the ED setting, especially when using rocuronium References Pappal RD, Roberts BW, Mohr NM, et al. The ED-AWARENESS Study: A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study of Awareness With Paralysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Admitted From the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med. 2021;77(5):532-544. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.10.012 Pappal RD, Roberts BW, Winkler W, Yaegar LH, Stephens RJ, Fuller BM. Awareness With Paralysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the Emergency Department and ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. 2021;49(3):e304-e314. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000004824   The Emergency Medical Minute offers AMA PRA Category 1 credits™ via online course modules. For more information and to access this content,, visit our website at www.emergencymedicalminute.org/cme-courses/ and create an account.  Donate to EMM today!