Alterations in cardiovascular function during neurolept anesthesia for surgery on the coronary vessels

Induction of anesthesia for aortocoronary bypass surgery was accomplished by the administration of droperidol, morphine, oxygen and nitrous oxide-oxygen in 20 patients. They ranged from 40 to 69 years of age. Premedication consisted of diphenhydramine and morphine. Cardiovascular stability was the most important aspect of the technique. Heart rate changes were insignificant. Cardiac index increased substantially after droperiodol and remained unchanged after morphine. It stayed around control levels for the rest of the induction. A substantial decrease was observed while using mechanical ventilation. Mean arterial pressure dropped significantly after droperidol and again after morphine, then rose about 17% after oxygen to near control levels, where it stayed thereafter. Peripheral vascular resistance dropped substantially after droperidol. A significant increase occurred after oxygen, reaching almost control levels at this point. Mechanical ventilation caused a significant increase, similar to the decrease in the cardiac index. Decreased oxygen availability was compensated for by decreased oxygen consumption. Induction of neurolept anesthesia in the manner described appears to be void of the undesirable effects of either large doses of morphine, or nitrous oxide-oxygen following such morphine doses. Amnesia was complete in every patient.