Premedication with atropine or glycopyrrolate in children. Effects on heart rate and rhythm during induction and maintenance of anesthesia.

Atropine 15 micrograms/kg and glycopyrrolate 5 or 10 microgram/kg were studied as anticholinergic premedicants in groups of 20 children each. A control group of 20 children did not receive anticholinergic premedication. Both atropine and the higher dose of glycopyrrolate produced significant increases in heart rate prior to induction of anaesthesia. The subsequent increase during the process of induction was less than in those who had not received an anticholinergic drug or glycopyrrolate 5 micrograms/kg. Dysrhythmias during induction of anaesthesia occurred slightly less frequently in the patients given atropine or the higher dose of glycopyrrolate. Although the incidence was similar in these two groups, ventricular ectopic beats occurred less frequently following the use of glycopyrrolate. The control of secretions was also superior with this anticholinergic premedicant.