Etomidate for RSI: Seizure Considerations

Rapid sequence intubation (RSI) is a process whereby an induction agent and a neuromuscular blocking agent are given in rapid succession to facilitate endotracheal intubation

The selection of a specific sedative depends on multiple factors: the clinical scenario, which includes patient factors (includes cardiorespiratory and neurologic status, allergies, comorbidity) and the clinician’s experience/training and institutional factors, as well as the characteristics of the sedative

Etomidate remains the most commonly used induction agent; however, it is not without its own pharmacologic considerations such the decrease in seizure threshold.

*Various formulations may appear, check you institution formulary

Propofol | ↓ BP, ↔ HR,↓ CO, ↔ cortisol, ↓ ICP | Hemodynamic compromise marked in elderly, ASA 3 or more or hypovolemic patients with ‘standard’ induction dose

Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence

Author, year | Design/ sample size | Intervention & Comparison | Outcome

Perier et al, 2018 | Retrospective N=97 | Etomidate vs sodium thiopental for RSI in patients with convulsive status epilepticus | Seizure and/or status epilepticus recurred in 13 (56%) patients in the etomidate group and 11 patients (44%) in the sodium thiopental group

Gabor, 2006 | Retrospective N=30 | 1 mg/kg of propofol or 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate for electroconvulsive therapy | After etomidate induction, seizure durations registered either by EEG or by EMG were longer than propofol treated cases.

Zuckerbraun et al, 2006 | Retrospective N=101 | Etomidate for RSI in general population | There was no relationship between seizures after etomidate administration and prior seizure history (p = 0.25).

Guldner, 2003 | Retrospective N=105 | Etomidate for RSI in general population | Complications included three patients who vomited within 10 minutes of etomidate administration. There were no cases of documented myoclonus, status epilepticus, or new-onset seizures.

Reddy, 1993 | Prospective randomized study N=68 | Etomidate, thiopental, methohexital or propofol for anesthesia induction | Spontanous movement (myoclonic, dystonic or tremor): Etomidate 86%, thiopental 16.6%, methohexital 12.5%, propofol 5.5% EEG activity: 2 patients receiving etomidate, no generalized epileptiform activity noted

Ebrahim, 1986 | Case reports N=12 | etomidate for anesthesia induction in patient with intractable seizures | Electroencephalograms were recorded by means of subdural electrodes. Nine of the 12 patients showed an increase in epileptiform activity. In six of the nine patients, the activity was marked.

Krieger, 1985 | Letter to editor N=55 | Etomidate for anesthesia induction or to activate seizure focus | 25 patients had epilptiform activity associated with etomidate administration 6/30 patients had generalized epileptiform activity noted on EEG

Grant, 1983 | Case series N=4 | Etomidate infusion for sedation in ICU | Generalized and focal seizures after variable periods of etomidate EEGs were not evaluated at the time of suspected seizure activity. Patients were on infusion for 6-28 hours at onset of seizure activity.

Ghonrim, 1977 | Prospective randomized study N=120 | Etomidate or thiopental for anesthesia induction | 28% etomidate vs. 0% thiopental had myoclonic movements 11% etomidate vs. 1% thiopental had tonic movements No epileptiform discharges were noted in 10 patients who had EEG monitoring

Evidence details are preserved from the source document in the clinical sections and references.

Etomidate is a commonly used induction agent for RSI in emergency settings. Etomidate has been shown to elicit myoclonus in a significant number of patients. However, whether myoclonus is associated with EEG confirmed epileptiform activities remains uncertain. To make matters worse, depending on the origin and type of seizure, it may be challenging for EEG to differentiate between non-seizure and seizure activity during myoclonic events.

Due to the low level of evidence, the patients with a history of seizures should have the risk versus benefit assessment to determine the best induction agent.

Micromedex [Electronic version].Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics. Retrieved September 6, 2021, from http://www.micromedexsolutions.com/

Perier F. Seizure. 2018 Oct;61:170-176. PMID: 30176574.

Zuckerbraun NS. Acad Emerg Med. 2006 Jun;13(6):602-9. PMID: 16636355.

Grant IS, et al. Epileptiform seizures during prolonged etomidate sedation. Lancet 1983; 322(8348):511-2.

Guldner G, et al.. Acad Emerg Med 2003; 10:134-139.

Reddy RV, et al.. Anesth Analg 1993; 77:1008-11.

Ebrahim ZY, et al. . Anesth Analg 1986; 65:1004-6.

Krieger W, et al K. Seizures with etomidate anesthesia [letter]. Anesthesiol Analg. 1985; 64:1226-7.

Ghoneim MM, Anesth Analg 1977; 56:479-85.

Gabor G. Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2007; 9(3):125-30.

Etomidate

Dose | 0.3 mg/kg IV

Administration | IV push

Formulation* | 20 mg/ 10 ml 40 mg/ 20ml

PK/PD | Onset: ~20 seconds Duration: 4-10 minutes Metabolism: Hydrolysis of the ethylester side Renal Excretion: 75%

Adverse Effects | Injection site pain, nausea, vomiting, myoclonus

Drug Interactions | No major reactions

Compatibility | Incompatible with vitamin c and vecuronium

Comments | There is hypothetical concerns about adrenal insufficiency with a single dose. Hemodynamically neutral

Drug | Hemodynamic Effect | Comments

Etomidate | ↔ BP, ↔ CO, ↔ HR, ↓ cortisol , ↔ ICP | Prolonged inhibition of steroid synthesis in the critically ill; withdrawn from number of countries

Ketamine | ↑BP, ↑ HR, ↑ CO, ↔ cortisol, ↑↓ ICP | ↔ or ↑ CPP and ↔ ICP with standard anesthetic management

Propofol | ↓ BP, ↔ HR,↓ CO, ↔ cortisol, ↓ ICP | Hemodynamic compromise marked in elderly, ASA 3 or more or hypovolemic patients with ‘standard’ induction dose

Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence | Overview of Evidence

Author, year | Design/ sample size | Intervention & Comparison | Outcome

Perier et al, 2018 | Retrospective N=97 | Etomidate vs sodium thiopental for RSI in patients with convulsive status epilepticus | Seizure and/or status epilepticus recurred in 13 (56%) patients in the etomidate group and 11 patients (44%) in the sodium thiopental group

Gabor, 2006 | Retrospective N=30 | 1 mg/kg of propofol or 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate for electroconvulsive therapy | After etomidate induction, seizure durations registered either by EEG or by EMG were longer than propofol treated cases.

Zuckerbraun et al, 2006 | Retrospective N=101 | Etomidate for RSI in general population | There was no relationship between seizures after etomidate administration and prior seizure history (p = 0.25).

Guldner, 2003 | Retrospective N=105 | Etomidate for RSI in general population | Complications included three patients who vomited within 10 minutes of etomidate administration. There were no cases of documented myoclonus, status epilepticus, or new-onset seizures.

Reddy, 1993 | Prospective randomized study N=68 | Etomidate, thiopental, methohexital or propofol for anesthesia induction | Spontanous movement (myoclonic, dystonic or tremor): Etomidate 86%, thiopental 16.6%, methohexital 12.5%, propofol 5.5% EEG activity: 2 patients receiving etomidate, no generalized epileptiform activity noted

Ebrahim, 1986 | Case reports N=12 | etomidate for anesthesia induction in patient with intractable seizures | Electroencephalograms were recorded by means of subdural electrodes. Nine of the 12 patients showed an increase in epileptiform activity. In six of the nine patients, the activity was marked.

Krieger, 1985 | Letter to editor N=55 | Etomidate for anesthesia induction or to activate seizure focus | 25 patients had epilptiform activity associated with etomidate administration 6/30 patients had generalized epileptiform activity noted on EEG

Grant, 1983 | Case series N=4 | Etomidate infusion for sedation in ICU | Generalized and focal seizures after variable periods of etomidate EEGs were not evaluated at the time of suspected seizure activity. Patients were on infusion for 6-28 hours at onset of seizure activity.

Ghonrim, 1977 | Prospective randomized study N=120 | Etomidate or thiopental for anesthesia induction | 28% etomidate vs. 0% thiopental had myoclonic movements 11% etomidate vs. 1% thiopental had tonic movements No epileptiform discharges were noted in 10 patients who had EEG monitoring