HAEMODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF VECURONIUM

Three hundred and twenty adults (ASA grade I, both sexes,) received diazepam 10 mg by mouth (50% received atropine 7μg kg −1 in addition) i.m. 45 min before operation. Patients were then allocated randomly to undergo general anaesthesia with either a nitrous oxide-neurolept technique or nitrous oxide-halothane. Vecuronium was administered to 50% of the patients in each anaesthetic group and heart rate and arterial pressure were monitored. Vecuronium did not influence heart rate, or systolic or diastolic arterial pressures.