BACKGROUND

On reversal of muscle relaxants when neostigmine-atropine mixture is used, heart rate changes occurr. We examined whether landiolol attenuate the initial increases in heart rate after intravenous injections of a neostigmine-atropine mixture.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients were assigned to one of two groups (n=12 each): control group and landiolol group. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and was maintained with isoflurane-nitrous oxide-pentazocine. A mixture of neostigmine 2 mg and atropine 1 mg was injected intravenously over 30s in the control group. In the landiolol group, 0.125 mg x kg)-1) x min(-1) of landiolol for 1 minute was administered immediately after neostigmine-atropine injection. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured noninvasively.

RESULTS

Heart rate was significantly increased after neostigmine-atropine administration compared with that at pre-administration in both groups. At 2 and 3 minutes after neostigmine-atropine administration, heart rate in the landiolol group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The maximum increase in heart rate after the neostigmine-atropine injections was significantly less in the landiolol group than that in the control group. Blood pressure showed no significant changes in both groups during the observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

Landiolol was useful for heart rate control after neostigmine-atropine administration during recovery from general anesthesia.