Some respiratory effects of althesin

Abstract

Expired volume, breath-by-breath, was recorded in female patients premedicated with either diazepam 10-20 mg and atropine 0.6 mg or papaveretum 10-20 mg with hyoscine 02-0.4 mg during induction of anaesthesia with either 50 μ1/kg or 100 μ1/kg doses of Althesin. After induction of anaesthesia there was a significant increase in respiratory rate in those patients premedicated with diazepam and atropine. The incidence of apnoea was greater with the higher dose of Althesin, but the difference was not significant There was a highly significant reduction in minute volume in all groups. Doubling the dose of Althesin did not increase the respiratory depression observed 3 minutes after induction of anaesthesia. © 1973 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.