Is PK technique sedation or general anesthesia?

According to the ASA, PK would fall between moderate and deep sedation, depending on whether or not airway intervention is required. The principle shortcoming of the ASA definition of PK is the failure to account for the ability to quantitate (measure) the level of hypnosis from either propofol or methohexital -- the two most popular intravenous agents. The Bispectral Index® (BIS®) monitor (Aspect Medical System, Inc., Newton, MA - www.aspectms.com) is a validated measure of the patient's level of hypnosis. There are no units to the index but 98-100 is an awake value, whereas 0 represents an isoelectric (no electrical activity) value. Hypnosis compatible with general anesthesia is at a BIS® level between 40 to 60 on a scale of 0 to 100. Hypnosis compatible with sedation can be seen at BIS® levels between 60 and 80 on a scale of 0 to 100.