Effects of Morphine and Pethidine on Coronary Vascular Resistance, Blood Pressure, and Myocardial Infarction-Induced Cardiac Arrhythmias

Abstract

In the present study, the effects of morphine and pethidine on coronary vessel resistance (CPP), blood pressure (BP), and experimental myocardial infarction-induced cardiac arrhythmia were investigated. Both morphine and pethidine induced a fall in GPP and BP and inhibited the cardiac arrhythmia. The morphine effects on GPP and BP were largely blocked by mepyramine. The effects of pethidine, on the other hand, were not blocked by mepyramine, propranolol, or atropine. An interesting dose dependent inhibition of cardiac arrhythmia was observed with pethidine. © 1983, International Heart Journal Association. All rights reserved.