[Use of a new ultra short-acting beta adrenoblocker esmolol in anesthesiological practice]

The effect of a novel ultrashort acting beta-adrenoblocker esmolol on systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics has been studied intraoperatively in 81 cardiosurgical patients. All the patients were operated under ataralgesia. Esmolol is an effective controlled agent for the treatment and prevention of supraventricular tachycardia and hyperdynamic reaction developing in cardiothoracic patients during anesthesia and surgery. Bolus injection of 100 mg esmolol exerts a negative chronotropic effect with maximum heart rate decrease by 23.3% by minute 5 and a gradual attenuation of the effect by minute 20. A parallel drop in the cardiac output by 18.5% is caused predominantly by a decrease in the heart rate and accounts for BP reduction. The above esmolol dose does not have a considerable effect on pulmonary hemodynamics and does not enhance intrapulmonary venous shunting.