Comparative study of cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic side effects of 8 narcotics in dogs. Pethidine, piritramide, morphine, phenoperidine, fentanyl, R 39 209, sufentanil, R 34 995. II. Comparative study on the epileptoid activity of the narcotics used in high and massive doses in curarised and mechanically ventilated dogs
De Castro, J.; Van de Water, A.; Wouters, L.; Xhonneux, R.; Reneman, R.; Kay, B.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Belgica 30(1): 55-69
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-5164 PMID: 474064 Document Number: 145479
The experimental design, described in part I, was again used here. The electrocortical activity was registered with an EEG amplifier using a bipolar derivation of needle electrodes fixed in the scalp of a dog in the fronto-occipital position. In this situation the convlusion threshold for the 8 substances is as follows: pethidine 20 mg.kg-1 I.V., piritramide 30, morphine 180, phenoperidine 4, R 39 209 5, fentanyl 4, sufentanil 4 and R 34 995 10 mg.kg-1 I.V. Comparing the I.V. doses producing severe convulsions with the doses necessary for deep surgical analgesia a safety margin of neurological toxicity was calculated. This was for pethidine 2.2, for piritramide 6.6, for phenoperidine 16, for R 39 209 62.5, for morphine 72, for fentanyl 160, for sufentanil 1 000 and for R 34 995 10 000. It is concluded that for pure narcotics there exists an inverse relationship between analgesic potency and neurological toxicity which is always accompanied by a hyperactivity of the automatic nervous system. Factors modifying the convulsive level of the narcotics are still under investigation. In the meanwhile it can be stated that the association of a strong narcotic with flunitrazepam, droperidol or etomidate will increase the convulsion threshold of the morphinomimetics.