Introduction

The term intravenous anesthetic agents imply inducing anesthesia by drugs administered intravenously. The use of intravenous anesthetic agents, to provide complete anesthesia alone, with inhalation anesthetics and in combination with muscle relaxants is a routine anesthetic practice. Sedative/hypnotics and opioid drugs act synergistically to other anesthetic agents help to maximize the desired effect of anesthesia with minimum side effects and safe emergegence. The concept of intravenous anesthesia has evolved from primarily induction of general anesthesia to total intravenous anesthesia. Total intravenous anesthesia has assumed increasing importance for surgical therapeutic or diagnostic procedures in both adults and children. In this session the learner will adopt knowledge, skill and right attitude in using intravenous anesthetic safely during initiation and maintenance phase of anesthesia.