Nitrous oxide causes myocardial ischemia when added to propofol in the compromised canine myocardium

We sought to determine the influence of nitrous oxide on the compromised heart during propofol anesthesia. This study investigated the cardiovascular effects of the combination propofol and nitrous oxide (N2O). Seven beagles were monitored to measure global and regional left ventricular function. Recordings both before and after critical constriction (CC) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were performed after propofol, 300 micrograms.kg-1.min-1, and 10 min after exposure to and discontinuation of 67% N2O. Data were analyzed with ANOVA for repeated measures at 95% confidence level. In the absence of CC, N2O caused moderate, reversible hemodynamic depression (LVdP/dtmax, -13.8%; cardiac output, -17.2%; LAD coronary blood flow, -10.9%) and no regional dysfunction. After CC global hemodynamic depression was of similar magnitude (LVdP/dtmax, -19.9%; cardiac output, -9.2%; stroke volume, -9.2%) but did not recover completely. Systolic shortening in the compromised area decreased (-30.3%) and postsystolic shortening developed to represent 20.3% of total shortening. Despite only moderate hemodynamic depression, 67% N2O causes substantial regional dysfunction in compromised myocardium when added to propofol.