Cardiovascular effects of peritoneal insufflation of carbon dioxide for laparoscopy.

We have investigated, in 13 artificially ventilated and anaesthetized patients, the cardiovascular effects of peritoneal insufflation of carbon dioxide preparatory to laparoscopy. Stepwise increases of intra-abdominal pressure up to a maximum of 25 cm H(2)O were accompanied by increases of airway pressure, intrathoracic pressure, central venous pressure, and femoral venous pressure and by signs of cardiovascular stimulation with mild tachycardia and hypertension. End-tidal carbon dioxide tension rose only slightly. The anaesthetic technique used provided good surgical conditions; our results suggest that it does not impose undue strain on the homoeostatic ability of the patient's cardiovascular system.