THE EFFECTS OF ANAESTHESIA WITH THIOPENTONE, NITROUS OXIDE, NARCOTICS AND NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING DRUGS ON RENAL FUNCTION IN NORMAL MAN

Changes in renal haemodynamics, water and electrolyte excretionwere determined in 10 healthy male volunteers before and afterthe administration of narcotic and atropine sulphate intravenously,and after anaesthesia with thiopentone, nitrous oxide in oxygen,neuromuscular blocking drugs and in some instances intermittentnarcotic. A significant reduction in glomerular filtration rate(13 per cent) without change in renal plasma flow with an increasedrenal vascular resistance was observed following narcotic andatropine premedication. No alteration in urine volume or osmolalityfollowed narcotic premedication suggesting failure of ADH release.Administration of anaesthesia resulted in a further reduction(11 per cent) in glomerular filtration rate, a 31 per cent reductionin renal plasma flow and maintained increase in renal vascularresistance. A profound antidiuresis characterized by low urinevolume, increased urine osmolality, and negative free waterclearance was observed during anaesthesia. This could not bereversed by ethanol infusion, unlike the response in previousstudies with cyclopropane and halothane. ^*Present address: Michael Reese Hospital andMedical Center,Chicago, Illinois 60616.