Circulatory effects of pipecurium bromide during anaesthesia of patients with severe valvular and ischaemic heart diseases.

Circulatory effects of 2 beta,16 beta-bis-(4.-dimethyl-1'-piperazino)-3 alpha,17 beta-diacetoxy-5 alpha-androstane dibromide (pipecurium bromide, RGH-1106, Arduan) were investigated in severe cardiac patients during the induction of anaesthesia, in the course of nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia and during extracorporeal circulation. In a dose of 0.05 mg . kg-1 the drug did not cause significant changes in any of the circulatory parameters studied. It is a safe muscle relaxant which can be used in patients with valvular and ischaemic heart diseases as well.