title: Routine induction of anaesthesia with thiopental and suxamethonium: apnoea without ventilation?
abstract: Changes in Paco2 and Paco2 during the induction of anaesthesia with thiopental suxamethonium, and intubation were investigated in 20 patients who received preoxygenation for 2 min, but no ventilation before intubation. Both in fit patients below the age of 60 years (Group I) and in patients above the age-several suffering from cardiopulmonary disease - (group II), Pao2 increased to about 40 kPa during preoxygenation and remained at the level during apnoea. Mean Paco2 increased to 6.3 and 5.7 kPa in Groups I and II, respectively. No complications were seen, and it is concluded that the apnoea involved in the "crash induction" technique is sage. Pulmonary aspiration of acid gastric fluid may also occur in fasting patients, and it is suggested that even in elective cases ventilation might advantageously be replaced by preoxygenation when anaesthesia is induced with thiopental and suxamethonium.
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001049:Apnea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012306:Risk; D013390:Succinylcholine; D013874:Thiopental
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine; D013874:Thiopental