title: Effects of thiopentone/suxamethonium on intraocular pressure after pretreatment with alfentanil.
abstract: The effects of pretreatment with alfentanil on intraocular pressure (IOP) were investigated in 40 patients undergoing ophthalmic surgery. Patients were randomly allocated to two study groups. Group 1 patients (n = 20) received alfentanil 15 micrograms.kg-1, vecuronium 0.01 mg.kg-1, thiopentone 3-4 mg.kg-1, and suxamethonium 1 mg.kg-1 for anaesthetic induction, whereas patients in group 2 (n = 20) received vecuronium 0.01 mg.kg-1, thiopentone 3-4 mg.kg-1, and suxamethonium 1 mg.kg-1. A total of seven measurements of intraocular pressure were taken in each patient, starting before premedication and ending after extubation of the trachea. In group 2 patients, there was an increase in IOP after endotracheal intubation. In group 1 patients, a decrease in IOP occurred which was related to the decrease in arterial blood pressure. We conclude that alfentanil pretreatment can prevent the increase in IOP following suxamethonium administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University of Heidelberg, FRG.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polarz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Böhrer
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huster
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolfrum
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015760:Alfentanil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011292:Premedication; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013874:Thiopental / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D015760:Alfentanil; D013390:Succinylcholine; D013874:Thiopental