Korean J Anesthesiol.  1985 Sep;18(3):249-256.

The Effects of Physostigmine on Arousal after Halothane Anesthesia

• Lee MK
• Lim SH
• Shin JS

Abstract

Physostigmine, by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase, leads to accumulation of acetylcholine and hence to cholinergic stimulation at both peripheral and central receptor sites and facilitates cholinergic transmission. To investigats the effects of physostigmine on excitement, delirium, somnolence, and shivering after halothane anesthesia, physostigmine to experimental group or 0.9% NaCl(1ml) to the control group was administered intravenously by slow injection. No other medication affecting the central nervous system was give. Postoperatively, the difference in the level of sedation, blood pressure, and pulse rate between the experimental group and the control group was observed for 2 hours. Sedation was assessed by and independent observer. The arousal time averaged 23.10+/-18.67min. in the experimental group and averaged 42.38+/-24.97min. in the control group. This study suggests that physostigmine effectively reversed the postoperative somnolence, delirium and excitement due to halothane. There was little difference between the two groups concerning changes of mean arterial pressure and pulse rate during the 2 hours. The results were as follows: 1) When physostigmine was administered intravenously to patients after halothane anesthesia, consclousness rapidly returned. 2) There was no statistical significance in the changes of mean arterial pressure and pulse rate between the experimental group and the control group.

MeSH Terms

Acetylcholine
Acetylcholinesterase
Anesthesia*
Arousal*
Arterial Pressure
Blood Pressure
Central Nervous System
Delirium
Halothane*
Heart Rate
Humans
Physostigmine*
Shivering
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholinesterase
Halothane
Physostigmine