Archivum chirurgicum Neerlandicum
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Comparative Study
Althesin (alphadione, CT 1341) a 'new' induction agent for anesthesia.
Althesin (alphadione) is a hypnotic agent introduced in the U. K. a few years ago by the firm of Glaxo. It is mixture of two steroids: alphaxalone 9 mg per ml and alphadolone 3 mg per ml, in solution in cremophore EL. ⋯ In 8 patients the following parameters were recorded: plethysmogram, ECG, central venous pressure, pulse rhythm arterial pressure, stroke volume and cardiac output. Compared with thiopentone, Althesin is not significantly worse, but neither does it present any advantages where the circulatory parameters determined are concerned. In view of this and the recent publication concerning hypersensitivity reactions, we have ceased to use this hypnotic agent in our department.