The control of administration of drugs such as propofol is a task that is difficult to master. Two approaches to this task have emerged—target-controlled infusion, and patient-controlled sedation. In the first, a set point for drug in a hypothetical effect site is specified, and the controller delivers drug to hold the predicted concentration at that level. In the second, the patient administers small boluses of drug to maintain comfort. The theoretical basis of these approaches will be reviewed, available technology presented, and practical use of these devices discussed.
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Address reprint requests to Basavana Gouda Goudra, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, 680 Dulles Building, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
The authors reports no direct financial interests that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript.
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