Clinical Studies of Induction Agents: Xxx: Venous Sequelae Following Ethanol Anaesthesia

Abstract

The effect of a rapid infusion of 5-10 per cent (w/v) solution of ethanol on veins was studied in about 400 patients. The infusion of up to 550 ml was given rapidly over 4-5 minutes. An unacceptably high incidence of pain and of sequelae followed the use of 7 and 10 per cent (w/v) solutions while 5 and 6 per cent (w/v) carried the lowest incidence of side effects. These latter were too dilute for use in intravenous anaesthesia, and the 8 per cent w/v (10 per cent v/v) caused no higher incidence of sequelae than propanidid. Therefore it is acceptable for clinical use.