The cardiovascular effects of pancuronium during halothane and cyclopropane anaesthesia

The effect of pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg i.v. on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure were investigated in two groups of eight patients, each receiving inhalational anaesthesia with either halothane or cyclopropane. A more pronounced effect on HR in the cyclopropane group with a mean increase of 104% occurred. The mean increase in the halothane group was 54%. There was a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.05) between the HR increases The vagolytic effect of pancuronium and the influence of halothane and cyclopropane on the autonomic nervous system are discussed.