The haemodynamic effects of unsupplemented nitrous oxide-oxygen-relaxant anaesthesia in cardiac patients

The effect on the systemic and pulmonary circulation of unsupplemented nitrous oxide in about 30% oxygen, with and without IPPV, was investigated in five cardiac patients and compared with control periods at rest with air breathing. The results of this investigation show that nitrous oxide in conventional oxygen concentration does not cause any great haemodynamic changes. During tracheal intubation, however, significant increases in both systemic and pulmonary blood pressures were registered. However, these pressures reverted to the control values immediately after the tracheal intubation. The results of this study support many earlier clinicaly good experiences obtained when using this conventional nitrous oxide-oxygen mixture in cardiac patients.