title: Arrhythmias during halothane anesthesia. III. The influence of barbiturates.
abstract: The effect of barbiturates on cardiac rate and rhythm during halothane anesthesia without intubation was studied in a triple-blind, randomized trial with 28 patients. The test group was premedicated with pentobarbital and induced with thiopental, while the control group was anesthetized with halothane and nitrous oxide only. There was a significant preponderance of sinus-bradycardia and supraventricular disturbances in the control group. It is concluded that the use of barbiturates is advantageous because of their ability to suppress enhanced vagal tone.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D006221:Halothane; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D013874:Thiopental / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010424:Pentobarbital; D013874:Thiopental; D006221:Halothane