title: Comparison of etomidate in combination with fentanyl or diazepam, with thiopentone as an induction agent for general anaesthesia.
abstract: In 104 premedicated patients undergoing general surgery, anaesthesia was induced either with etomidate 0.3 mg kg-1 preceded by fentanyl 1.25 or 2.5 microgram kg-1 i.v.or diazepam 0.0625 or 0.125 mg kg-1 i.v., or with thiopentone preceded by fentanyl 1.25 microgram kg-1 i.v. Despite the use of fentanyl or diazepam, the frequency of pain on injection in patients receiving etomidate was between 32% and 53%, being rated as severe in 5-20% of patients. No pain was experienced by patients receiving thiopentone. The frequency of involuntary movement was 15-35% with etomidate and 15% with thiopentone. The frequency of both pain and involuntary muscle movements was least when fentanyl 2.5 microgram kg-1 preceded the administration of etomidate. There was no significant relationship between the pain and muscle movement; three of 10 patients given etomidate into a central vein had such movements.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000379:methods*; D003975:Diazepam; D005045:Etomidate / Q000009:adverse effects; D005283:Fentanyl; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D013874:Thiopental
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D013874:Thiopental; D003975:Diazepam; D005283:Fentanyl; D005045:Etomidate