Cardiopulmonary effects of the combination of neuroleptic azaperone and hypnotic metomidate in swine.

Cardiopulmonary measurements were made at given intervals up to 120 minutes on 6 awake, unanesthetized pigs given azaperone and metomidate. Decreases from control values occurred in arterial blood pressure (deltaBPart = 30 mm of Hg), heart rate (deltaHR = 30 to 35 beats/minute), and cardiac index (deltaCI = 1.5 L/minute/m2). Blood gas and pH measurements indicated no severe impairment of pulmonary function or arterial acidosis. Although the drugs led to decreases in the various functions, cardiopulmonary function remained stable and uncompromised.