Reversal of fentanyl-induced laryngospasm with ketanserin and naloxone: A prospective randomized blinded study in rats.

BACKGROUND

Fentanyl can induce laryngospasm in humans and rats, a lethal effect if unresolved. The aim was to compare the effect of ketanserin, alone and combined with naloxone, to resolve fentanyl-induced laryngospasm in a rat model.

MATERIAL: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 75) were instrumented with a venous catheter under isoflurane anesthesia before converting to IV α-chloralose (50-60mgkg-1). Each rat was administered 25µgkg-1 IV fentanyl or saline (Control) and further allocated to receive either 2mgkg-1 ketanserin and 2mgkg-1 naloxone (Fentanyl-Ketanserin-Naloxone), saline and 2mgkg-1 naloxone (Fentanyl-Naloxone), 2mgkg-1 ketanserin and saline (Fentanyl-Ketanserin), or two injections of saline (Fentanyl-Saline). Videos of the larynx were recorded by an endoscope positioned orally. The glottic diameter was measured retrospectively by a blinded observer. The effect of treatment on the change in glottic diameter from baseline after antagonist or saline injections was analyzed using a Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test and a Bonferroni-corrected alpha of 0.01.

RESULTS

Fentanyl reduced glottic opening to median -100 %. Median (IQR) changes in glottic opening were 51 % (10, 96), -13 % (-40, 10), -97 % (-100, -47) and -100 % (-100, -72) for Fentanyl-Ketanserin-Naloxone, Fentanyl-Naloxone, Fentanyl-Ketanserin and Fentanyl-Saline respectively. Fentanyl-Ketanserin-Naloxone was significantly different from Fentanyl-Naloxone, Fentanyl-Ketanserin and Fentanyl-Saline (p < 0.001). Fentanyl-Naloxone was significantly different from Fentanyl-Saline (p < 0.0001), no significant difference was found between Fentanyl-Ketanserin and Fentanyl-Saline.

CONCLUSION

Co-administration of ketanserin and naloxone resolved fentanyl-induced laryngospasm with an enhanced glottic opening compared to baseline. Findings suggest that both opioid and serotonergic mechanisms can be involved in fentanyl-induced laryngospasm.