Hormonal responses to high-dose fentanyl anaesthesia. A study in patients undergoing cardiac surgery
Sebel, P.S.; Bovill, J.G.; Schellekens, A.P.; Hawker, C.D.
British Journal of Anaesthesia 53(9): 941-948
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0912 PMID: 7025877 Document Number: 181504
The hormonal responses to anesthesia and cardiac surgery were studied in 20 patients. Ten patients were anesthetized with fentanyl 60 .mu.g/kg and nitrous oxide in O2 and 10 with etomidate 0.3 mg/kg and nitrous oxide in oxygen plus halothane. There were no significant changes in cortisol, growth hormone or insulin concentrations in response to surgery in either group, although cortisol concentrations decreased during cardiopulmonary bypass. Both groups showed increases in prolactin concentrations. Patients anesthetized with etomidate and halothane showed a significant increase in adrenaline (epinephrine) and glucose concentrations not seen in the fentanyl group. Cardiopulmonary bypass was associated with marked increases in catecholamines in both groups.