[The influence on the cardiovascular system of etomidate infusion anaesthesia combined with fentanyl/nitrous oxide (author's transl)]

Abstract

Blood pressure and heart rate after the application of etomidate, soluble in alcohol 70% (a ml approximately or equal to 125 mg) and supplemented by fentanyl under controlled respiration with N2O/O2 as an continuous infusion for anaesthesia has been investigated during surgery. After the administration of fentanyl/etomidate (Hypnomidate)/succinylcholine the patients were intubated. Then the infusion of etomidate began with 1.5-2 mg/min for ten minutes, whereafter the dose was reduced to 0.15-0.25 mg/min. The continuous infusion of etomidate was stopped about 20 minutes before the end of the operation. The influence on the cardiovascular system during the whole operation was very minimal. The anaesthesia could be handled without any problems. Therefore the application of etomidate as a continuous infusion in combination with fentanyl and nitrous oxide 66% seems to be an effective technique of intravenous anaesthesia.