Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine: effects of age on neural blockade and pharmacokinetics
Veering, B.T.; Burm, A.G.; van Kleef, J.W.; Hennis, P.J.; Spierdijk, J.
Anesthesia and Analgesia 66(7): 589-593
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2999 PMID: 3605667 Document Number: 290681
Effects of aging after epidural administration of 0.5% bupivacaine without epinephrine were studied in two groups of patients, between 20 and 55 yr old and older than 55 yr, respectively. All patients received 95 mg bupivacaine HCl. The onset of analgesia in caudad segments decreased with age and the upper level of analgesia increased with age. Effects of age on duration of anesthesia could not be demonstrated. The total plasma clearance of bupivacaine decreased and the terminal half-life increased with age. Age had no effect on the peak plasma concentrations and time to peak concentrations.