[Cardiovascular effects of flunitrazepam (rohypnol, RO-5-4200) (author's transl)]

We reported on the haemodynamic effects of 0.03 mg/kg flunitrazepam during surgical procedures in neuroleptanalgesia in 39 patients with congenital or acquired heart diseases, functional class II-IV. The benzodiazepine derivative did not cause any relevant effect on the inotropic state of the myocardium. There were only minor changes in cardiac index, stroke index, right and left atrial pressure. Changes in arterial pressure and left ventricular pressure during and immediately after surgical procedures, and in arterial perfusion pressure during extracorporeal circulation, as well as an only short lasting increase in heart rate were demonstrative a peripheral vasodilator effect. The decrease in ventricular work and myocardial oxygen consumption are of value in patients with coronary heart disease, especially immediately after surgical procedures. Flunitrazepam is considered an additional drug during neuroleptanalgesia, when hypertension is causing some problems.