[Atropine in the premedication of patients at risk. Its effect on hemodynamics and salivation during intubation...

Should atropine be administered for premedication? This question continues to be controversial; in particular, the combined administration of atropine and succinylcholine has been investigated with conflicting results by numerous researchers. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of premedication with atropine on hemodynamic variables and salivation in patients assigned to ASA class II and III. METHODS. Eighty ASA class II or III patients received pethidine 1.0 mg/kg and promethazine 0.5 mg/kg i.m. 30 min prior to induction of anesthesia and atropine, either 0.01 mg/kg i.v. 10 min or 0.01 mg/kg i.m. 30 min prior to a standardized anesthetic induction with alcuronium (precurarizing dose), thiopental, and succinylcholine. In the control groups (20 patients each), no atropine was given. Systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures (MAP) were measured. The ECG was monitored for arrhythmias. Salivation was assessed semiquantitatively using swabs positioned within the pharyngeal space. RESULTS. Ten minutes after the administration of atropine i.v., a significant increase in heart rate (HR) was observed; this did not occur within 30 min after administration of atropine i.m. At the time of tracheal intubation, HR was significantly increased in both i.v. atropine risk groups. After atropine i.m., an increase in heart rate during intubation was observed in ASA class II patients only. No increase in heart rate occurred in the control groups during tracheal intubation. Neither i.m. nor i.v. atropine had any significant effect on blood pressure. Arrhythmias occurred in a few cases with both routes of administration; several instances of marked tachycardia were recorded.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)