Abstract
Summary
Administration of nethalide, an adrenotropic beta receptor antagonist, to dogs anesthetized with cyclopropane, trichloroethylene, or halothane was found to decrease markedly the sensitivity of the myocardium to epinephrine induced arrhythmias. From 4–15 times the minimum dose of epinephrine causing multiple ventricular ectopic beats during the control period was required to produce this arrhythmia 15 minutes after intravenous nethalide. Ventricular fibrillation was not observed with even large doses of epinephrine after nethalide but did occur during the control period in 2 of 3 dogs receiving halothane. Some possible problems that might be encountered with the use of this agent as an adjunct to anesthesia are discussed.
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