Comparison of the cardiovascular actions of ORG NC 45 with those produced by other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents in experimental animals.

The cardiovascular actions of 1- [(2 beta,3 alpha, 16 beta,17 beta)-3,17-bis(acetyloxy)-2-(1-piperidinyl)-androstan-16-yl]-1-methyl-piperidinium bromide (Org NC 45) are reviewed and compared with those of other non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs. Results obtained in anaesthetized cats and dogs have demonstrated that, in contrast to other neuromuscular blocking drugs, Org NC 45, even in doses 20 times greater than those required for neuromuscular block, has no effects on heart rate, arterial pressure, autonomic ganglia, adrenoceptors or baroreceptors activity. Studies in pithed rats and on guineapig atria have further shown that Org NC 45 has little effect on cardiac muscarinic receptors or on noradrenaline re-uptake mechanisms. These results suggest that Org NC 45 possesses significant advantages over presently used non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs, since its clinical use should not be associated with cardiovascular side-effects.