[The haemodynamic effect of dehydrobenzperidol in cranio-cerebral injuries (author's transl)]

The haemodynamic effects of dehydrobenzperidol (DHB) in persons with craniocerebral injuries were studied before and after administration of noradrenaline in doses of 0.6 gamma/kg bodyweight. Nine comatose patients were hyperventilated up to PaCO2 of 32 mmHg. Heart rate (HR), arterial blood pressure (BP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), central vein pressure (CVP), pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output (via a Swan-Ganz catheter) were measured; blood gas analyses of arterial and mixed venous blood were also made. Further haemodynamic parameters were calculated with the aid of standard formulas. The haemodynamic pattern in craniocerebral trauma was characterized by an increase in HR, B, PAP, wedge pressure and cardiac index (CI). Peripheral resistance was at the lower limit of normal. Administration of DHB (0.3 mg/kg bodyweight) was followed for up to three minutes by a fall in BP, CI, HR and left ventricular output while PAP and wedge pressure remained unchanged. Immediately after DHB administration the noradrenaline action was less affected than was the initial haemodynamic situation. The effects were largely reversible for up to 20 minutes. The pronounced immediate haemodynamic action of DHB is mainly attributable of depression of the autonomic nervous system; later on the weak peripheral action of the drug becomes manifest.