A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF THE EFFECTS OF ESMOLOL ON CARDIAC-FUNCTION

We have examined the effects of two different bolus doses of esmolol h ydrochloride (Brevibloc) on haemodynamic variables in a placebo-contro lled, double-blind, randomized trial. Sixty healthy adult patients und ergoing minor orthopaedic surgery were given a standardized general an aesthetic using a laryngeal mask airway. Heart rate (HR), mean arteria l pressure (MAP), stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (Q) were measu red (the latter two by Doppler ultrasonography) every 1 min for 5 min after injection of either placebo or esmolol 100 mg or 200 mg. HR, MAP , SV and Q decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for both esmolol groups compared with placebo and, except for MAP, esmolol 200 mg had a greate r effect than esmolol 100 mg (P < 0.05). Depression was maximal at 2 m in after which recovery was observed but was still incomplete at 5 min .