#6534
#13
Washington Post
November 5, 2002
letter
In Moscow Theater, a Tragic Preview?
As an anesthesiologist, I can attest to the safety and effectiveness of fentanyl as an intravenous anesthetic agent. However, in its aerosolized form, it has been shown to be unpredictable and dangerous, as evidenced in the Moscow theater catastrophe.
The Oct. 31 news story "Russia Confirms Suspicions About Gas Used in Raid" correctly outlined the dangers of fentanyl when used in a poorly regulated and indiscriminate manner. However, it probably was not only the respiratory depressive effects of the fentanyl that killed so many innocent people, but also the chest wall rigidity that ensues during its use. The muscles of the thorax go into spasm, preventing the person from using these muscles for breathing.
None of these effects can be rapidly reversed by the antidote naloxone when used in the way the Russians did because there was not enough time or manpower to give every innocent person the right dose in the right way (intravenously or intramuscularly).
This portends similar problems if chemical weapons become the next vehicle for terrorist activity -- the only difference being that the Russian disaster could look meager in comparison.
DAVID SHERER
Chevy Chase
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