Is topical application of epinephrine at skin graft donor sites during halothane anesthesia safe?
Topical epinephrine is useful in controlling the bleeding of skin graft donor sites. However, the use of exogenous epinephrine during halothane anesthetization increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. This study shows that there is no significant increase in plasma epinephrine levels after topical administration of up to 80 cc of 1:500,000 epinephrine, suggesting that the use of this dose in conjunction with halothane anesthesia is safe.
Mostello
L
L
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore.
Stueber
K
K
Lake
C R
CR
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006221:Halothane; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D016038:Skin Transplantation
D006221:Halothane; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine