Cardiovascular effects of pancuronium in patients anaesthetized with enflurane and fluroxene

The effects of pancuronium on the blood pressure and pulse rate were investigated in patients anaesthetized with either fluroxene or ethrane prior to the surgical procedure. At surgical levels of fluroxene anaesthesia, pancuronium increased the blood pressure and pulse rate significantly. In the patients anaesthetized with ethrane, the blood pressure did not change and the pulse rate rose only temporarily and to a less significant level. Analysis of the changes in pulse rate shows that the greater increase produced by fluroxene was due in part to the initial bradycardic effect of this anaesthetic. However the consistent elevation of blood pressure in this group can only be explained by sympathetic stimulation produced by fluroxene and unmasked by pancuronium. Previous administration of atropine suppresses the effect of pancuronium regardless of the anaesthetic in use.