British journal of anaesthesia
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Comparative Study
Comparative effects of thiopental and propofol on atrial vulnerability: electrophysiological study in a porcine model including acute alcoholic intoxication.
Atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) frequently complicate the perioperative period. Alcohol intoxication is a recognized causative factor for dysrrhythmias. We studied the effects of propofol and thiopental on atrial electrophysiology and vulnerability to AT in a closed-chest porcine model in which AT are facilitated by ethanol. ⋯ Propofol in this model was more arrhythmogenic than thiopental, as manifested by a longer duration of induced arrhythmias, particularly AFI.
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Spinal actions of halogenated ethers are widely recognized, whereas spinal actions of intravenous anaesthetics like propofol are less clear. The aim of this study was to compare the spinal effects of propofol and sevoflurane. ⋯ Sevoflurane produces large inhibitory effects on nociceptive and non-nociceptive reflexes which are likely to contribute to immobility during surgery. Compared with sevoflurane, propofol appears to have much weaker effects on spinal reflexes such as those recorded in an isolated preparation.