Heart Rate Changes Caused by Enflurane and Halothane Anaesthesia in Man

Changes in heart rate and arterial pressure caused by enflurane and halothane anaesthesia were investigated in patients premedicated with diazepam and scopolamine. Enflurane caused a significant (12%) increase in heart rate and depression of arterial pressure (23%). Halothane depressed heart rate significantly (14%), whereas arterial pressure was unaffectcd. The authors conclude that enflurane possesses a positive chronotropic effect.