Hemodynamics during diazepam induction of anesthesia for coronary artery bypass grafting

The hemodynamics during induction of anesthesia were studied in ten patients with ischemic heart disease about to have coronary artery bypass grafting. Intravenous diazepam, 0.5 mg/kg (with 50% N2O in oxygen inspired and pancuronium IV), was used to induce anesthesia. Compared to awake baseline, induction caused statistically significant decreases in the mean arterial pressure, rate pressure product, stroke index, and left and right ventricular stroke work indexed. Although statistically significant, the hemodynamic changes were small and transient and required no modifying treatment. This anesthetic induction technic is safe, efficient, and well tolerated by patients having myocardial revascularization surgery.