The influence of chemical restraining agents on cardiovascular function: a review

A review of selected experimental reports indicated that chemical restraining agents commonly used in experimental animals affected basal cardiovascular function and could influence the response of the cardiovascular system to physiologic-pharmacologic stimuli. Drugs that were considered included pentobarbital, halothane, alpha-chloralose, droperidol, fentanyl, and ketamine. In relation to effects on hemodynamics, anesthetic restraint produced by one drug was not necessarily equivalent to that produced by another.