[Comparative hemodynamic effects of midazolam and flunitrazepam as induction agents]

Abstract

The cardiovascular effects of midazolam as induction agent in A.S.A. class 2 surgical patients (N = 6) were compared with a similar group of patients (N = 6) receiving flunitrazepam. An induction-sized dose of midazolam was 0.17 +/- 0.03 mg/kg and the dose of flunitrazepam was 0.036 +/- 0.0039 mg/kg. The induction-sized dose of midazolam produced a moderate cardiovascular depression, similar to flunitrazepam. Cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index and mean pulmonary pressure were decreased significantly after injection of midazolam and mean arterial pressure, cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work index were decreased significantly after administration of flunitrazepam. Following the administration of midazolam, there were decreasing tendency of mean pulmonary pressure and pulmonary artery occluded pressure, and no change of central venous pressure, while increasing tendency of central venous pressure with flunitrazepam. Unlike flunitrazepam, midazolam may act capacitance vessels. However in this study, statistical significant differences between the hemodynamic effects of midazolam and those of flunitrazepam were not obtained.