The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Clinical Brief

The Action of Droperidol and Fentanyl on Cardiac Output and Related Hemodynamic Parameters*

Authors: H. A. FERRARI MD, R. J. GORTEN MD, I. H. TALTON MD, R. CANENT MD, J. K. GOODRICH MD

Abstract

AbstractMany workers have noted stability of the cardiovascular system in patients receiving droperidol-fentanyl. We investigated the circulatory and respiratory influence of the narcotic analgesic fentanyl and the neuroleptic droperidol in 15 young, healthy volunteers. The variations of arterial pH, Pco2 and Po2 were in the direction of respiratory acidosis and hypoxemia when fentanyl alone or droperidol-fentanyl was used; however, the values obtained were still within accepted normal limits. The effects on the total peripheral resistance were manifested as a significant decrease when droperidol alone or droperidol-fentanyl was employed. No depressant action on the myocardium was observed.

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References