Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
06:57

Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects

Published on: February 12, 2021

Cardiorespiratory effects of premedication for children

S M Audenaert1, Y Wagner, C L Montgomery

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Louisville, Kentucky.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|March 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric preanesthetic medications have varying cardiorespiratory effects. Oral meperidine/pentobarbital decreased vital signs, while nasal ketamine/midazolam and rectal methohexital had minimal impact.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pediatric preanesthetic medication effects on cardiorespiratory function are minimally studied.
  • Reluctance exists in using premedication for children with serious illnesses like congenital heart disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects of different oral, nasal, and rectal preanesthetic medication regimens in young children.
  • To identify significant physiological changes associated with specific premedication protocols.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized prospective study involving 58 young children (average age 2.7 years).
  • Administration of various oral, nasal, and rectal premedication regimens.
  • Monitoring of cardiovascular and respiratory parameters.

Main Results:

  • Oral meperidine (3 mg/kg) with pentobarbital (4 mg/kg) significantly decreased heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.
  • Nasal ketamine (5 mg/kg) with midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) showed no significant cardiorespiratory effects.
  • Rectal methohexital (30 mg/kg) increased heart rate and decreased stroke volume without other significant effects.

Conclusions:

  • Different preanesthetic medication routes and agents produce distinct cardiorespiratory effects in children.
  • Nasal ketamine/midazolam appears to be a safe option regarding cardiorespiratory stability.
  • Understanding these disparate effects is crucial for safe pediatric preanesthetic care.

More Related Videos

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery09:47

Anesthesia and Intubation of Preadolescent Mouse Pups for Cardiothoracic Surgery

Published on: June 2, 2022

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation07:15

Preoxygenation Techniques for Tracheal Intubation in Critically Ill Adults Utilizing Oxygen Mask and Noninvasive Ventilation

Published on: December 5, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview01:21

Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview

When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions01:28

Cholinergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions

Antimuscarinic drugs block muscarinic receptors in multiple systems, including the gut, eye, smooth muscles, respiratory tract, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. They produce similar effects with varying selectivity depending on the specific agent and tissue. Here are the key pharmacological actions of antimuscarinics:
Gastrointestinal Effects: Antimuscarinics reduce gut contractions, increase gastric emptying, and slow intestinal transit. They partly inhibit gastric acid secretion...
Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents01:28

Adrenergic Agonists: Mixed-Action Agents

Mixed-action adrenergic agonists, like ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, directly and indirectly affect adrenergic receptors. These agents stimulate adrenoceptors and indirectly release stored neurotransmitters, amplifying the adrenergic response.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine lack a catecholamine group, making them less susceptible to degradation by metabolic enzymes. They have increased oral bioavailability and lipophilicity, resulting in a longer duration of action. Their response is reduced by...
Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses01:30

Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses

Adrenergic agonists have diverse therapeutic uses across various medical conditions and emergencies.
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and anaphylaxis:...
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers01:27

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of β-Receptor Blockers

β-receptor blockers significantly impact the cardiovascular system by counteracting catecholamine-induced sympathetic responses. These medications decrease heart rate, contractility, and cardiac output, potentially leading to cardiac depression, life-threatening bradycardia, and death. Therapeutically, β-blockers function as mild antihypertensives and are utilized in treating angina pectoris and cardiac arrhythmias. However, nonselective β-blockers inhibit β2-receptors in bronchial smooth...
Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects01:21

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Adverse Effects

Skeletal muscle relaxants are widely used for muscle paralysis and relieving pain following any muscle injury or stiffness. However, depending on the drug type, they can have adverse effects that range from mild to severe. Usually, nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers have minimal side effects. For example, drugs like d-tubocurarine, cisatracurium, and rocuronium cause hypotension, whereas drugs like baclofen, when stopped abruptly, can lead to the recurrence of spastic conditions.
Unlike...