Hemodynamic effects of fentanyl during anesthesia with 2 concentrations of enflurane

The cardiovascular effects of intravenous fentanyl were determined in eleven patients undergoing intra-abdominal surgical procedures under enflurane anaesthesia. The patients were curarized with pancuronium and ventilated with nitrous oxide (50%) in oxygen. The systemic arterial pressure (Pa) was measured by means of a left radial arterial catheter. The pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), the pulmonary wedge pressure (Ppw), the cardiac output, the pH and blood gases of mixed venous blood were measured by means of a thermodilution Swan-Ganz catheter. Before the surgical procedure, the measurements were carried out 10 and 20 min after the administration of 0.8% enflurane, and 5 and 15 min after 5 micrograms X kg-1 intravenous fentanyl. During surgery, the measurements were repeated under 0.8% enflurane, and then after 10 and 20 min of receiving 1.6% enflurane, and 5 and 15 min after a second intravenous injection of fentanyl (5 micrograms X kg-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)