Propofol for Pediatric Deep Sedation Is Associated with Few Adverse Events

Investigators from the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium evaluated adverse events in 25,433 consecutive patients (age, <21; median age, 36 months) who underwent deep sedation with propofol administered by emergency physicians at 37 hospitals between 2004 and 2008. Most sedations (76%) were performed in a radiology department.

Overall, 1483 (5.83%) experienced one or more adverse events. Of the adverse events, 902 were considered nonserious and included unexpected need for positive pressure ventilation, secretions requiring suctioning, inadequate sedation, and coughing. The remaining 581 adverse events (2.3% of all procedures) were considered serious and included airway obstruction (0.96%), desaturation (0.94%), apnea (0.49%), and laryng…