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Safety of rapid administration of flumazenil in patients with ischaemic heart disease
Author(s) -
Croughwell N. D.,
Reves J. G.,
Will C. J.,
Kasson B. J.,
Goodman D. K.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta anaesthesiologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1399-6576
pISSN - 0001-5172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-6576.1990.tb03185.x
Subject(s) - medicine , flumazenil , anesthesia , blood pressure , hemodynamics , heart rate , placebo , cardiac index , benzodiazepine , cardiology , cardiac output , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology
The purpose of this study was to determine if higher (36 μg.kg ‐1 ) doses of flumazenil (a new benzodiazepine (BZ) antagonist) produced an effect on haemodynamics. Twelve patients with class III‐IV angina were entered into this double‐blind randomised placebo‐controlled study. BZ were withheld for 2 weeks prior to surgery. Patients were placed on an ambulatory monitor 18 h prior to surgery to record changes in heart rate rhythm and ST segment changes. The patients were given secobarbital 100–200 mg and morphine 0.12 mg.kg ‐1 90 min prior to surgery. Flumazenil or placebo was given in divided doses every 3 min (1 mg, 1 mg, 1 mg). Complete haemodynamic profiles were obtained at baseline and 2 min following each injection of flumazenil. Flumazenil produced a minimal but statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (147 13.9 to 137 18.4 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (74 14.8 to 67 13 mmHg). There was no consistent effect on heart rate, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure or cardiac index. We conclude that flumazenil is safe when administered in relatively high doses to patients with ischaemic heart disease who have not received benzodiazepines.