[Clinical investigations of the steroid anaesthetic agent CT-1341 (Althesin) (Cardiovascular and respiratory effects)].

The new steroid anaesthetic CT-1341 (Althesin) has been used as an induction agent in dose of 0.07 ml/kg body weight. Following injection, stage 1 anaesthesia is reached in an average of 30 sec with a clinical duration of between 12 and 20 min with total recovery, supported by a normal pre-anaesthetic EEG tracing, in 40 to 50 min. The respiratory depression following injection in characterized by a short period of apnea followed by an increased respiratory rate and a diminished tidal volume; there is a decrease of the pO2 of about 15%, but the pCO2 and pH values do not show significant variations. Concerning its action on the cardiovascular system, there was found an increase of heart rate (+14%), a decrease of both systolic (-19%) and diastolic pressures (minus decrease of both systolic (-19%) and diastolic pressure (-13.5%), central venous pressure and the peripheral vascular resistance (-14%) with hardly any change in the pulmonary artery pressure.