The effect of droperidol on the ST-T segment of the ECG

It is generally accepted that droperidol as a dopaminergic blocking agent has some influence on heart function. Therefore, a study was performed to investigate the effect of droperidol on the so-called ischaemic ST-T segment depression in the ECG. Droperidol treatment 0.1 mg/kg b.w. in a single i.m. injection was performed in 30 patients 21 women and 9 men, aged 15-55 years producing marked ST-T depression in at least two conventional leads, at rest. Droperidol had a beneficial effect in the majority of patients, i.e. the ST-T segment inversion had normalized in 23%, and improved in 30%. It is concluded that droperidol abolishes the ST-T alteration produced by dopaminergic mechanism.