[Combination of etomidate and fentanyl. Haemodynamics, inotropic state, myocardial oxygen consumption, and vascular reactions (author's transl)].

The influence of a combination of fentanyl (0.1 mg) and etomidate (0,15 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg) on haemodynamics, inotropic state, myocardial oxygen consumption and vascular reaction has been investigated in 60 patients with congenital or acquired heart diseases--mostly functional class III according to NYHAC. Because of minor changes in haemodynamics (decrease in mean arterial pressure, left ventricular pressure, peak dp/dt, cardiac index, stroke index) the combination of 0.15 mg/kg etomidate and 0.1 mg fentanyl seems to be of great value for induction of anaesthesia in patients with cardiac disease compared to other intravenous induction agents such as propanidid, thiopentone or althesin. In accordance with the changes in haemodynamics there was a 12% and 18% decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption, respectively.