THE EFFECT OF NEUROLEPTANALGESIA WITH INNOVAR ON THE METABOLIC RATE OF MAN

Abstract

The metabolic rate of eight healthy adults did not change significantly after the introduction of neuroleptanalgesia with Innovar. Average oxygen consumption decreased from the control value of 133 ml/min/sq.m±22 (standard deviation) which is 98.6 per cent of predicted basal metabolic rate, to 127±37 8 minutes after the injection of Innovar (93.2 per cent), and was 141±17 25 to 30 minutes after injection (105.5 per cent). Ventilation was controlled, keeping end-tidal carbon dioxide constant. Carbon dioxide excretion and the respiratory quotient did not change. Anatomical deadspace and the ratio of deadspace to tidal volume both rose after induction. This study offers no support for the theory that Innovar “protects” by reducing metabolic demand for oxygen in man.