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A prospective study in 12 adult male patients undergoing coronary-artery revascularization was conducted to compare the effects of a morphine versus a halothane anesthetic technique on several indices of myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Indices reflecting myocardial contractility, preload, afterload, and heart rate were measured. Undesirable increases in systemic and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure were minimized using sodium nitroprusside as needed. In the period after sternotomy but before revascularization, patients anesthetized with morphine (mean 2.1 mg/kg) had significant (P less than .05) increases in rate-pressure product, tension-time index, blood pressure, and heart rate, as well as relative myocardial ischemia, evidenced by significant ST-segment depression in the V5 lead of the EKG and a decreased diastolic pressure-time index/tension-time index compared with patients anesthetized with halothane (mean .75 per cent inspired). Few difficulties associated with myocardial depression were seen in patients anesthetized with halothane. Halothane, at least in a well-monitored environment, is safe for use in patients without severe ventricular dysfunction undergoing coronary-artery revascularization.
Kistner et al. (1979) studied this question.