Abstract
Two groups of eight women (60-85 yr) undergoing gynaecological operations of 50 to 130 min duration were compared. Anaesthesia was induced with either thiopentone (mean 4.5 mg kg-1) or chlormethiazole (mean 6.0 mg kg-1) and maintained with nitrous oxide and pethidine in combination with the drug used for the induction. The hourly maintenance dose and the plasma concentration determined at equilibrium were greater for chlormethiazole (means 4.7 mg kg-1 h-1 and 27 mumol litre-1) compared with 1.3 mg kg-1 h-1 (P less than 0.01) and 16 mumol litre-1 respectively for thiopentone (P less than 0.02). Impedance cardiography showed that cardiac output was decreased by 30-40% in the thiopentone group (P less than 0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in the chlormethiazole group. Chlormethiazole anaesthesia was followed by a significant increase (P less than 0.02) in stroke volume. No correlations were found between the plasma concentrations and changes in the haemodynamic indices for either of the drugs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
