Etomidate

[Hardcastle, Tim, Dr <tch at sun.ac.za>]

Hi all

A query regarding Etomidate: there is a rumour spreading around South Africa that Etomidate has been "black-boxed" by the FDA and this includes a warning to not use it for RSI. I have been unable to confirm this on their website, but maybe I don't have adequate access. Any list member out tere form the USA who can confirm / deny / give the correct details, so we can give clear guidelines - we still use Etomidate for our RSI in NON-SEPTIC patients (i.e. acute trauma).

My reading of the literature does not support avoiding of Etomidate in trauma, with only one study in head trauma suggesting a possible link.

Regards
Tim
Dr T C Hardcastle
M.B.,Ch.B.(Stell); M.Med(Chir); FCS(SA)
Senior Surgeon / Senior Lecturer: Surgery (Trauma and ICU)
ATLS  instructor and DSTC Cape Town Course Director
Intern program Coordinator: Surgery
M.Med (Emergency Medicine) Executive Committee member
Clinical Head (Director): Diana Princess of Wales Trauma Unit
Division of Surgery (General) Room 4064
Department of Surgical Sciences
Tygerberg Hospital / University of Stellenbosch
PO Box 19063
Tygerberg 7505
Western Cape
South Africa
e-mail: tch at sun.ac.za
Cell: +27824681615
Office: +27219389281 or 4911 pager 0302