title: Haemodynamic effects of fentanyl or alfentanil as adjuvants to etomidate for induction of anaesthesia in cardiac patients.
abstract: This investigation was designed to study the comparative haemodynamic effects of alfentanil, 5 mg vs. fentanyl 0.5 mg when administered in combination with etomidate for induction of anaesthesia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Both groups manifested significant decreases in heart rate (17-22%), cardiac index (12-25%) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (4-17%). The mean arterial pressure was decreased in both groups; however, the decrease was significantly greater in the alfentanil group. In contrast to the fentanyl group, the systemic vascular resistance was transiently decreased in in the alfentanil group. In conclusion, it appears that alfentanil is associated with a greater degree of cardiovascular depression than fentanyl when used in combination with etomidate as part of an induction sequence in cardiac surgery patients.
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015760:Alfentanil; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D005045:Etomidate; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D007093:Imidazoles; D015760:Alfentanil; D005283:Fentanyl; D005045:Etomidate