Haemodynamic and biochemical variables after induction of anaesthesia with fentanyl and nitrous oxide in patients undergoing coronary artery by-pass surgery.

The effects on the haemodynamic and biochemical parameters of three different anaesthetic induction regimes, namely fentanyl (4.1 micrograms.kg-1 or 15 micrograms.kg-1) plus 60 per cent nitrous oxide with oxygen and fentanyl 15 micrograms.kg-1 plus 60 per cent nitrogen with oxygen, were studied in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Fentanyl 15 micrograms.kg-1 with nitrous oxide and oxygen produced simultaneous reductions in oxygen uptake, cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work with an unaltered oxygen extraction. Diastolic blood pressure (an index of coronary artery perfusion) was only slightly reduced, and there were no changes in arterial lactate, glucose and free fatty acids. The lower dose of fentanyl (4.1 micrograms.kg-1) with nitrous oxide produced no haemodynamic changes but decreased the oxygen uptake and extraction. The patients receiving fentanyl 15 micrograms.kg-1 with nitrogen and oxygen showed increases in heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work, together with a significant fall in oxygen extraction. Moreover, in the patients who received fentanyl 4.1 micrograms.kg-1 with nitrous oxide and oxygen and fentanyl 15 micrograms.kg-1 with nitrogen and oxygen there were significant increases in blood lactate, glucose and free fatty acids, indicating increased sympathetic activity. We conclude that fentanyl 15 micrograms.kg-1, together with 60 per cent nitrous oxide with oxygen provides a satisfactory haemodynamic and biochemical state during induction of anaesthesia in patients with myocardial function prejudiced by coronary artery insufficiency.