MAC
Also written as: MAC — Monitored Anesthesia Care
Monitored anesthesia care providing sedation and analgesia while maintaining patient consciousness and spontaneous breathing.
Full Definition
Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is an anesthetic technique that provides conscious sedation, anxiolysis, and analgesia while preserving the patient's ability to maintain their own airway and respond to verbal commands. In obstetric anesthesia, MAC is occasionally used for certain procedures such as cervical cerclage placement, postpartum tubal ligation, or when neuraxial techniques are contraindicated but general anesthesia is not required. The technique involves careful titration of sedative and analgesic medications, typically including propofol, midazolam, and short-acting opioids, while maintaining continuous monitoring of vital signs and level of consciousness. MAC requires skilled anesthetic management to avoid oversedation while providing adequate patient comfort.
Usage
Usage note: Specify sedation level achieved and medications used.
In Context
- "MAC was provided for the cervical cerclage procedure with propofol and remifentanil titration." — Ambulatory procedure note
- "The patient requested MAC instead of neuraxial anesthesia for her postpartum tubal ligation." — Anesthesia consultation note