Ketamine 1 · 0 mg/kg and diazepam 0 · 3 mg/kg was used to induce anaesthesia in patients requiring pericardiectomy. A significant rise in blood pressure in patients receiving ketamine was noted. In contrast, a fall in blood pressure was seen when diazepam was administered. Changes in cardiac output, cardiac index, central venous pressure and systemic vascular resistance are discussed.
Ketamine appears to be a more satisfactory agent for induction of anaesthesia in patients for pericardiectomy, whereas diazepam should be used with caution.
References
1.
AbelR. N., StaroscikR. N., and ReisR. L. (1970): “The effects of Diazepam (Valium) on left ventricular function and systemic vascular resistance”, J. Pharm. Exp. Ther., 173, 364–370.
2.
BakerA. B. (1969): “Induction of Anaesthesia with diazepam”, Anaesthesia, 24, 3, 388–393.
3.
BondA. C., and DaviesC. K. (1974): “Ketamine and pancuronium for the shocked patient”, Anaesthesia, 29, 1, 59–62.
4.
BradleyE. C., and BarrJ. W. (1969): “Fore ‘n aft triangle formula for rapid estimation of area. Dye dilution curve”, Amer. Heart. J., 78, 643–648.
5.
ColemanA. J., MoyesD. G., and WheatleyD. J. (1973): “Immediate effects of pericardiectomy”, J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., 68, 5, 803–806.
6.
DalenJ. E., EvansG. L., and BanasJ. S. (1969): “The haemodynamic and respiratory effects of diazepam (Valium)”, Anesthesiology, 30259–263.
7.
DayemM. K. A., WasfiF. M., and BentallH. H. (1967): “Investigation and treatment of constrictive pericarditis”, Thorax, 22, 242–252.
8.
DixonR. A., DayD. C., and EccersleyP. S. (1973): “Intravenous diazepam in dentistry: Monitoring results from a controlled clinical trial”, Brit. J. Anaesth., 45, 202–206.
9.
FoltsJ. D., AlfonsoS., and RoweG. G. (1975): “Systemic and coronary haemodynamic effects of ketamine in intact anaesthetised and unanaesthetised dogs”, Brit. J. Anaesth., 47, 686–694.
10.
SavegeT. M., BloggC. E., and FoleyE. I. (1973): “The cardiorespiratory effects of althesin and ketamine”, Anaesthesia, 28, 391–399.
11.
ShrireV. (1959): “The experience with pericarditis at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town”, S. Afr. Med. J., 27, 810–817.
