Korean J Anesthesiol.  1978 Dec;11(4):329-334.

Effect of Propranolol on Gallamine-induced Tachycardia during Halothane Anesthesia

• Im WM
• Kim ST

Abstract

That gallamine causes tachycardia during general anesthesia is well known, but the efficacy of its anticholinergic action or an adrenergic beta blocking action remains to be determined. Twelve patients were subjected to this study, in which under halothane anesthesia small doses of propranolol. an adrenergic beta-blocker, was administered. In all cases bradycardia resulted and the greatest decrease was noted five minutes after intravenous injection of propranolol(0. 5 1. 0mg). At the height of bradycardia, gallamine 80 mg was administered intravenously. In all cases gallamine produced a significant increase of heart rate over the level before the injection of propranolol, but not so much as without propranolol pretreatment. But fifth minute values after propranolol expressed as 100 per cent, (per cent change in heart rate after propranolol followed by gallamine,) and after gallamine were similar effectively. This study suggested that gallamine-induced tachycardia is modified, but its anticholinergic action is not impaired by propranolol, and that gallamine-induced tachycardia is caused by anticholiaergic action of gallamine.

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia*
Anesthesia, General
Bradycardia
Gallamine Triethiodide
Halothane*
Heart Rate
Humans
Injections, Intravenous
Propranolol*
Tachycardia*
Gallamine Triethiodide
Halothane
Propranolol