VENTILATORY EFFECTS OF ELTANOLONE DURING INDUCTION OF ANESTHESIA - COMPARISON WITH PROPOFOL AND THIOPENTONE

We recorded the ventilatory effects of eltanolone 0.75 mg kg(-1), prop ofol 2.5 mg kg(-1) and thiopentone 4 mg kg(-1) at induction of anaesth esia in 76 unpremedicated patients, aged 18-65 yr. Measurements were m ade using a pneumotachograph incorporated between a close-fitting face mask and a T-piece delivering 35% oxygen. Eltanolone caused significa ntly less apnoea than propofol (incidence 57% vs 100%) and less reduct ion in ventilation than propofol (median maximum decrease 4.8 vs 7.8 l itre min(-1)), but the differences between eltanolone and thiopentone were smaller and generally not significant. Ventilatory frequency was maintained well in the eltanolone group.