[The effects of diazepam premedication upon atropine-induced hemodynamic changes]

Positive or negative chronotropic effects of atropine and their magnitude are known to be determined primarily by patient's age, atropine dose, anesthetic agents or techniques, and preanesthetic medication. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of oral diazepam upon the hemodynamic responses to intravenous atropine in awake patients. Diazepam group (n = 26) received oral diazepam, 10 mg, whereas control group (n = 20) received no premedication. The direction and magnitude of heart rate and blood pressure responses to atropine were similar between the two groups. Heart rate significantly decreased from baseline values following atropine, 2.5 micrograms.kg-1, returned to baseline values following cumulative atropine doses, 5 micrograms.kg-1, then significantly increased from baseline values following cumulative atropine dose, 10 micrograms.kg-1 in both groups. Mean blood pressure significantly decreased from baseline values following cumulative atropine dose, 2.5 and 5 micrograms.kg-1, and returned to baseline following cumulative atropine dose, 10 micrograms.kg-1, in both groups. It is concluded that oral diazepam, 10 mg, as a premedicant does not alter the hemodynamic responses to intravenous atropine in humans.