ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2026, in San Diego, TopMedTalk hosts Kate Leslie and Andy Cumpstey speak with Dr Damon Kamming, Clinical Instructor within the Stanford University Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine and Michel Struys, Professor of Anesthesiology and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Groningen and the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) about target-controlled infusion (TCI) for intravenous anesthesia.

They explain how TCI uses pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models and patient covariates beyond weight (age, sex, height, fat-free mass) to target and maintain drug concentrations, commonly for propofol and opioids, reducing clinician pump adjustments and drug accumulation when paired with effect monitoring (e.g., EEG) and cardiovascular signs. They discuss newer broad models such as Eleveld, limits at extremes of body size, and practical safety issues like dedicated IV access.

Kamming links wider TIVA/TCI adoption to improved recovery and lower global warming potential versus volatile agents, citing UCLH’s shift toward more TIVA, use of 2% propofol to reduce plastic waste, and desflurane reduction. The group notes TCI is not yet available in the US, attributing this mainly to the need for a company to invest in FDA submission and adoption efforts within departments.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST MENTION ABOUT OPIOIDS HERE: https://topmedtalk.libsyn.com/anesthesiology-2026-opioid-overdose-prevention-and-treatment