Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLevels of SedationBenefitsRisksBefore the ProcedureDuring IV SedationAfter the Procedure
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Levels of Sedation
Benefits
Risks
Before the Procedure
During IV Sedation
After the Procedure
Intravenous (IV) sedation is a type ofanesthesiagiven through a tube placed in a vein. It helps you relax, prevents you from feeling pain, and is mainly used for minor medical procedures that don’t require deeper general anesthesia.
IV sedation is also known asmonitored anesthesia care(MAC), conscious sedation, or twilight sleep.
This article discusses the types of IV anesthesia, when they are used, and what you should know if you are getting ready to have a procedure that requires anesthesia.
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What Are the Levels of IV Sedation?
There are different levels of sedation during monitored anesthesia care. Depending on the surgical procedure, the amount of anesthesia used can range from a minimal amount to enough to produce a deep sleep. You may or may not be able to move around. Patients can often breathe on their own, sointubation(placing a tube into the windpipe) is not needed. Your memory of the procedure may vary depending on the amount of sedation and medications used.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recognizes three basic levels of sedation, which are:
Your provider should explain the planned level of sedation before the start of the procedure.
Sedation vs. AnalgesiaThe term “sedation” means being relaxed and sleepy. “Analgesia” is the medical term for pain relief. Some IV anesthesia medications provide both, but ask your healthcare provider about what to expect with the procedure you’re undergoing.
Sedation vs. Analgesia
The term “sedation” means being relaxed and sleepy. “Analgesia” is the medical term for pain relief. Some IV anesthesia medications provide both, but ask your healthcare provider about what to expect with the procedure you’re undergoing.
Benefits of IV Sedation
Using IV sedation duringplastic surgeryand other procedures has many possible benefits, including:
Risks of IV Sedation
All types of anesthesia carry some level ofrisk. IV sedation risks can include:
Before IV Sedation
Before a procedure with IV sedation, you should tell your healthcare provider about allergies or medical conditions you have. You should also inform the provider of any medications you are taking and any prior surgeries you’ve had and the type of anesthesia used.
You may wish to ask whether ananesthesiologistor anurse anesthetistwill be administering anesthesia. The medical backgrounds and medical training are different for these two types of healthcare professionals.
You may need to arrange for a responsible adult to drive you to and from the facility for the procedure.
There is no single drug used during IV sedation. The anesthesiologist will use a combination of drugs to relax your body, relieve your pain, and help you not remember the procedure.
Medicines administered via the bloodstream begin to take effect quickly, often within minutes. Most people feel very relaxed at the start of IV sedation as the medicines begin to take effect. Many people remember the feeling of relaxation and waking up after the procedure is over but nothing in between.
There are different levels of IV sedation, and you may or may not be awake during the procedure. Your anesthesia team will adjust your sedation level throughout the procedure. Sometimes it is helpful to keep you awake during a procedure so you can move and follow directions. Other procedures may require you to be more deeply sedated.
After IV Sedation
Typically, you will feel groggy after your procedure and may have a slight headache and nausea. During the recovery process, your nurse will monitor your vital signs, includingblood pressure, pulse, and oxygen levels.
Your healthcare provider will give you instructions to help with your recovery, including when you can resume eating and drinking. Depending on the level of sedation used, and which drugs you were given, you may be advised to begin with liquids before moving to solid foods.
You usually will be observed for one to two hours after the procedure before you are able to return home with your driver.
Summary
Intravenous sedation (IV sedation) offers a safe alternative to general anesthesia for minor surgical procedures. It can provide sedation ranging from slight (relaxed and mildly sleepy) to deep sleep. Your medical team will help you to understand what kind of anesthesia you will likely need and what to expect.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.Das S, Ghosh S.Monitored anesthesia care: An overview.J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2015;31(1):27-9. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.150525Sohn HM, Ryu JH.Monitored anesthesia care in and outside the operating room.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2016;69(4):319–26. doi:10.4097/kjae.2016.69.4.319U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Anesthesia.American Society of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.Das S, Ghosh S.Monitored anesthesia care: An overview.J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2015;31(1):27-9. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.150525Sohn HM, Ryu JH.Monitored anesthesia care in and outside the operating room.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2016;69(4):319–26. doi:10.4097/kjae.2016.69.4.319U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Anesthesia.American Society of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.Das S, Ghosh S.Monitored anesthesia care: An overview.J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2015;31(1):27-9. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.150525Sohn HM, Ryu JH.Monitored anesthesia care in and outside the operating room.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2016;69(4):319–26. doi:10.4097/kjae.2016.69.4.319U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Anesthesia.American Society of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.
American College of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.
Das S, Ghosh S.Monitored anesthesia care: An overview.J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2015;31(1):27-9. doi:10.4103/0970-9185.150525
Sohn HM, Ryu JH.Monitored anesthesia care in and outside the operating room.Korean J Anesthesiol. 2016;69(4):319–26. doi:10.4097/kjae.2016.69.4.319
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Anesthesia.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.IV/Monitored sedation.
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