A double-blind trial of patient-controlled nitrous-oxide/oxygen analgesia in myocardial infarction

Lancet. 1975 Jun 28;1(7922):1397-400. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)92606-9.

Abstract

The analgesic effect of self-administered nitrous oxide 50%/oxygen 50% ('Entonox" analgesic apparatus) was compared with air given by the same method in a double-blind trial in 81 patients with myocardial infarction. Self-administered nitrous oxide/oxygen, which was associated with a low frequency of side-effects, proved significantly more effective than air in the early relief of severe cardiac pain, but not in the relief of moderate or slight pain or when administration was continued after ten minutes.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Air
  • Analgesia* / instrumentation
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Community Participation
  • Coronary Care Units
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications*
  • Nitrous Oxide / administration & dosage*
  • Nitrous Oxide / pharmacology
  • Oxygen / administration & dosage*
  • Oxygen / pharmacology
  • Pain / etiology
  • Pain Management
  • Placebos
  • Scotland
  • Self-Help Devices
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Placebos
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Oxygen