[Althesin in cesarean section]

Abstract

The effects of Althesin (group A) and thiopentone (group B) in mother and newborn were compared after their use in the induction of narcosis in 80 patients undergoing Caesarean section. The mean doses of Althesin (0.072 ml/kg i.v.) and thiopentone (4.1 mg/kg i.v.) proved sufficient to guarantee rapid onset of sleep (about 20 seconds) in both groups. As of cardiovascular effects on the mother in the induction-extraction period, greater stability of cardiac frequency (c.f.) was noted with thiopentone, while Althesin produced rapid, frequent variations in c.f. The reverse phenomenon was observed with respect to arterial pressure variations. The clinical condition of the newborns at 1st, 3rd and 5th minutes after extraction, assessed by means of the Apgar index, was excellent in both groups of patients. Results obtained were assessed by analysing variance with the Fisher test.