[Use of fazadinium in heart surgery. Clinical contribution]

A new muscle relaxant, fazadinio bromide, has been administered to 10 heart patients awaiting surgery and its induction utility assessed. A constant though non-significant increase in heart frequency, a significant reduction in maximum and a non-significant reduction in minimum arterial pressure were recorded. No arrythmia or changes in effort-induced cardiac index were seen. The short latency period and myoresolution characteristics permitted speedy, atraumatic intubation. While these features and the absence of arrhythmia suggest the drug might have some clinical utility, tachycardia and arterial hypotension limit its use in heart patients.