title: Comparison of the effects of pancuronium and atracurium on the lower esophageal sphincter.
abstract: The effects of pancuronium and atracurium on the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) were studied in 24 healthy patients anesthetized with 0.5% halothane in 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. After pancuronium (0.1 mg X kg-1) given intravenously there was a significant increase in LESP from a control value of 36 +/- 4.0 cm H2O to 50 +/- 4.6 cm H2O at 1 min. This produced an increase in barrier pressure (BRP) from 26 +/- 3.7 cm H2O to 41 +/- 4.3 cm H2O. These changes were sustained for 5 min accompanied by a significant increase in arterial pressure and heart rate. Atracurium (0.6 mg X kg-1) had no cardiovascular effects and produced little changes in either LESP or BRP. The findings of this study suggest that pancuronium may be of benefit in a rapid sequence induction.
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001279:Atracurium; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011312:Pressure; D013270:Stomach / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001279:Atracurium; D010197:Pancuronium