Sedation and analgesia for interventional radiologic procedures in adults

Sedative and analgesic drugs used to supplement verbal reassurance can reduce patient anxiety and pain during interventional procedures and increase patient satisfaction. Agreement on an optimum premedication does not exist. Therefore, no attempt has been made here to formulate 'cookbook' combinations of drugs ideal for specific patients or procedures. Appropriate medication can be selected only when the patient's physical status, response to previous drug therapy, and procedural requirements are taken into account. It is hoped that this review will allow the interventional radiologist to select the most appropriate medication based on sound pharmacologic background and clinical experience. The plethora of sedative and analgesic drugs now in use reminds us that we are still searching for a completely safe and effective medication. Until such medication is developed, monitoring of sedated patients is the key to prevention of life-threatening sequelae.