Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Known risk factors for being awake and paralyzed in the OR include only receiving IV medications, long-acting paralytics, and no formal monitoring system for being awake
• The ED-AWARENESS study, a prospective single-center study found 2.6% of patients with induced paralysis during mechanical ventilation were aware
• Rocuronium was a risk factor for developing awareness while paralyzed in this study
• Ensure adequate sedation during paralysis for mechanical ventilation in the ED setting, especially when using rocuronium

References

Pappal RD, Roberts BW, Mohr NM, et al. The ED-AWARENESS Study: A Prospective, Observational Cohort Study of Awareness With Paralysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Admitted From the Emergency Department. Ann Emerg Med. 2021;77(5):532-544. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2020.10.012

Pappal RD, Roberts BW, Winkler W, Yaegar LH, Stephens RJ, Fuller BM. Awareness With Paralysis in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in the Emergency Department and ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. 2021;49(3):e304-e314. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000004824

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