[A comparison of pancuronium and vecuronium used during the induction of high-dose fentanyl anesthesia].

Effects on hemodynamics and blood catecholamine levels of pancuronium and vecuronium used during the induction of anesthesia, were studied in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Anesthesia was induced out with fentanyl, 70 micrograms.kg-1, and diazepam, 0.2 mg.kg-1, and either pancuronium or vecuronium was administered in a dose of 0.2 mg.kg-1. Control measurements were made before the induction of anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters and blood levels of norepinephrine (NEP) and epinephrine (EP) were measured three minutes (S1) and ten minutes (S2) after tracheal intubation. The study showed that HR, AP, CI, and coronary perfusing pressure were more stable in the group of patients receiving pancuronium (group P) than in the group receiving vecuronium (group V) during the induction of anesthesia. LVSWI and RVSWI showed a comparable decline in both groups. While NEP was unaffected in group P during the induction of anesthesia, it decreased significantly at S1 and S2, compared with control (S0), in group V. On the other hand, EP decreased significantly at S1 and S2 during the induction of anesthesia in both groups, but group V showed a greater change. The results of this study suggest that pancuronium is more advantageous than vecuronium as a muscle relaxant used during the induction of high-dose fentanyl anesthesia.