Cardiovascular effects of Org 9487 under isoflurane anaesthesia in man

The cardiovascular effects of Org 9487 during isoflurane anaesthesia have been evaluated using three doses around its ED90 for neuromuscular blockade, i.e. 1 mg kg-1, 2 mg kg-1 and 3 mg kg-1. Heart rate increased to 110%, 115% and 118% in patients receiving 1 mg kg-1, 2 mg kg-1 and 3 mg kg-1 respectively. There were no significant effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressures for the two lower dose groups. Patients receiving Org 9487 3 mg kg-1 displayed significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (91% and 82% of the control values respectively). Except for heart rate in the group receiving 3 mg kg-1, all measurements returned to baseline after a maximum of 15 min. Six patients experienced a transient increase in airway pressure after administration of Org 9487, which was accompanied by a decrease in oxygen saturation in two out of six subjects, but there was no audible wheezing. These episodes were self-limiting and required no treatment. There were no other adverse reactions to this drug during this study.