Hemodynamic effects of two intravenous doses of ketorolac tromethamine compared with morphine

The cardiovascular effects of intravenous administration of ketorolac tromethamine 10 and 90 mg were measured and compared with those of morphine sulfate 10 mg in 18 anesthetized patients after major vascular surgery. Morphine caused a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure, left cardiac work index, and left ventricular stroke work index. Stroke volume index, cardiac output, and pulmonary artery pressures decreased to a lesser extent. Ketorolac at either dose was not associated with any significant change in cardiac and hemodynamic parameters. The data suggest that even high doses of the drug may be safely administered in clinical situations where hypotension is disadvantageous or where reduction in afterload is not a specific therapeutic aim.