Cardiovascular haemodynamics after induction of anaesthesia with althesin in patients with valvular heart disease.

The haemodynamic effects of the induction of anaesthesia with Althesin 0.1 ml.kg-1 were studied in eight patients with valvular heart disease before tracheal intubation and surgery. A 20 per cent reduction in stroke index was compensated for by an increase in heart rate of similar magnitude. Cardiac index, mean arterial, pulmonary arterial, central venous and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures and systemic vascular resistance were unaffected. Pulmonary vascular resistance declined by nearly 30 per cent. It is therefore conclude that Althesin causes only minimal cardiovascular depression in patients with valvular heart disease.