Effects of Basal Anaesthesia on Cardiac Function
Abstract
MARIE-FRANCOISE DOURSOUT, PH.D. ; JACQUES E. CHELLY, What makes this problem even more complex is that, in most cases, it is not possible to predict the nature of the interaction on the basis of data already available. Briefly, basal anaesthesia may affect cardiac function by its direct effects on the cardiovascular system and by its effects on the remote and local control of circulation. In addition, basal anaesthesia may significantly alter the disposition of endogenously, as well as exogenously, administered substances and drug effects which may also interfere with the responses recorded. DIRECT EFFECTS OF BASAL ANAESTHESIA ON CARDIAC FUNCTION M.D., PH.D.; Department of Anesthesiology, Suite 435-D, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030, U.S.A. In vivo, cardiac function is dependent not only upon the direct cardiac effects of anaesthetics, but also on the anaesthetic-mediated changes in preor afterload. Consequently, the direct cardiac effects of anaesthetics may be balanced by simultaneous effects on the remote and local control of circulation. Anaesthetics such as diazepam, chloralose, pentobarbitone, thiopentone, thiamylal, ether, halothane and methoxyflurane are potent direct negative inotropic drugs; this also applies to ketamine which, in vivo, increases cardiac output as a result of a reflex