[Clinical study on total intravenous anesthesia with droperidol, fentanyl and ketamine--9. Control of intraoperative hypertension with diltiazem].

Intraoperative hypertension over 160 mmHg systolic and sinus tachycardia over 100 bpm are often observed during total intravenous anesthesia with droperidol, fentanyl and ketamine. Fifty-seven surgical patients who developed hypertension over 160 mmHg systolic during various operative procedures under this type of anesthesia were given diltiazem intravenously to overcome the situation. Their blood pressure and heart rate decreased soon after the administration of diltiazem. The rate pressure product was reduced significantly. Neither preoperative hypertension nor difference of doses between 5 mg and 10 mg of diltiazem had any significant relationship with hypotensive effect of intravenous diltiazem. But the higher the systolic-pressure was just before the administration of diltiazem, the more effective diltiazem was. No adverse effects with this drug was observed. We can conclude that intravenous diltiazem in a dose of 5 mg or 10 mg may be repeatedly given to overcome hypertension or sinus tachycardia during this type of anesthesia without any adverse effects.