Clinical trial of etomidate. Preliminary observations on a new non-barbiturate induction agent

This is a preliminary report of our clinical experience with etomidate, a new intravenous non-barbiturate anaesthetic agent. Thirty-two patients undergoing minor surgical procedures were anaesthetized, induction being with etomidate 0.3 mg/kg body weight. Induction was fast and smooth. Twenty-eight per cent of the patients complained of pain at site of injection but the pain disappeared on flushing with water for injection. Following etomidate injection, 37.5 per cent of patients developed myoclonic movements which were usually mild and self-limiting. We were impressed by the relative stability of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Etomidate looks promising and further work is in progress on other aspects of this drug.