Effects of thiopental (Trapanal) on coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism in man.

The influence of thiopental (Trapanal) on coronary blood flow (MPF), myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), and general haemodynamics was investigated in seven patients without heart disease. Besides measurement of MBF, the amount of substrates (glucose, lactate, pyruvate and free fatty acids (FFA) was also determined in arterial and coronary sinus blood samples. Thiopental was given intravenously in a mean dose of 4 mg/kg b,w, MBF was measured by means of the argon method. After injection of thiopental, all seven patients showed a significant increase of MBF and MVO2, a fact which can essentially be explained by the increase of heart rate. The effects of thiopental on arterial concentrations, arterior-coronary substrate differences, myocardial uptake, and O2-extraction ratio of the different substrates are discussed.