title: Effects of halothane and calcium entry blockers on atrioventricular conduction-a comparative study of verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.
abstract: The effects of halothane on AV nodal function were evaluated in dogs with verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine during atrial pacing using the technique of His-bundle electrocardiography. Fifty-one mongrel dogs were divided into six groups. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine 100 mg im. and thiamylal 25 mg/kg iv. The animals were intubated and mechanically ventilated at normocapneic levels. Anesthesia was maintained with 50% nitrous-oxide in oxygen with pancuronium 2 mg im. Dogs in groups I, III, and V were anesthetized with 0.8% halothane and 50% nitrous-oxide in oxygen. We observed interactions between halothane and intravenous administration of either verapamil 0.1 mg/kg, diltiazem 0.15 mg/kg, or nifedipine 0.01 mg/kg respectively. Dogs in groups II, IV, and VI were administered either verapamil, diltiazem, or nifedipine iv without halothane. There were prolongations of sinus cycle length (SCL) (414 +/- 10 to 542 +/- 19 msec.), atrium-His (AH) interval (73 +/- 3 to 97 +/- 5 msec.), and functional refractory period (FRP) of the AV-node (227 +/- 5 to 260 +/- 5 msec.) in halothane anesthesia in groups I, III, and V. There were more prolongations of these variables after iv administration of verapamil (SCL; 617 +/- 35, AH; 118 +/- 7, FRP of the AV node; 311 +/- 4) and diltiazem (SCL; 554 +/- 19, AH; 118 +/- 12, FRP of the AV node; 283 +/- 12) but no prolongations after nifedipine (SCL; 533 +/- 19, AH; 99 +/- 8, FRP of the AV node; 272 +/- 9). Comparing effects of calcium entry blockers with and without halothane in groups I and II, III and IV, or V and VI, there were additive depressing effects of halothane with either verapamil or diltiazem on AV nodal function. And there is a difference between the effects of nifedipine on SCL with and without halothane.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Takigawa
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kemmotsu