Arousal Agents

Abstract

Reversal agents, or arousal agents, are sometimes needed to wake a patient who is having delayed emergence from anesthesia. The anesthetic agents are removed in a way that permits the patient to wake safely. The agent used will depend on the cause of the delayed emergence. There are reversal agents available for opioids, benzodiazepines, anticholinergic drugs, and neuromuscular blocker agents (NMBAs). A complete and accurate medical history needs to be taken pre-operatively to help assess causes and risks for prolonged effects of anesthetics. During the procedure, considerations of drug synergy and potential consequences of concomitant drug use needs to be considered. The chapter reviews these agents and how they are used.