High-concentration nitrous oxide for procedural sedation in children: Adverse events and depth of sedation

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Nitrous oxide is an attractive agent for procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department; however, there are limited safety data for high-concentration continuous-flow nitrous oxide (50%-70%) and its use in young children. We set out to characterize the depth of sedation and incidence of adverse events associated with various concentrations of nitrous oxide used in a pediatric emergency department. METHODS. This was a prospective observational study of nitrous oxide use for procedural sedation and analgesia in a tertiary children's hospital emergency department. Nitrous oxide concentration, adverse events, and sedation depth were recorded. Adverse events were categor..