Safety of enflurane following administration of aminophylline in experimental animals

The induction of halothane anesthesia following intravenous administration of aminophylline may cause ventricular arrhythmias. This study was designed to determine whether induction of enflurane anesthesia following intravenous aminophylline is arrhythmogenic in dogs. One group of six dogs was anesthetized with 2% enflurane in the absence of aminophylline. Three additional groups of six dogs were given intravenous aminophylline, 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg, respectively, followed 3 minutes later by 2% enflurane. No arrhythmias occurred at any time in any animal. In contrast to halothane induction of enflurane anesthesia following aminophylline appears to be safe and does not cause cardiac arrhythmias.