Effect of Sodium Thiopental on Circulatory Response to Positive Pressure Inflation of Lung

Abstract

Inflation of the lungs with O2 under 15-20 cm. of water pressure produced significantly greater arterial hypotension in subjects anesthetized with Na thiopental than in the same subjects during consciousness. This result is attributed to a relative failure of the vasomotor response to hypotension caused by Na thiopental. The effects of this drug on the circulation were tachycardia, decreased arterial mean pressure and pulse pressure, and diminished intrathoracic venous pressure.