Thiopental cardiovascular effects

Becker KE Jr, Tonnesen AS. Cardiovascular effects of plasma levels of thiopental necessary for anesthesia. Anesthesiology 1978 49(3) 197-200. 

Cardiovascular Propofol produces a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure that is significantly greater than that produced by thiopental the effect is explained by vasodilation and mild depression of myocardial contractility. Propofol appears to blunt the baroreceptor refiex or is directly vagotonic. As with thiopental, propofol should be used with caution in patients at risk for or intolerant of decreases in blood pressure. 

Various barbiturates such as the short acting agent pentobarbital and the ultra-short acting agents thiopental and methohexital are used for anesthesia induction. They produce loss of consciousness without analgesia and with little effects on the cardiovascular system. Unconsciousness is combined with respiratory depression as the barbiturates produce non-selective CNS depression. 

Cardiovascular system. Thiopental reduces vascular tone, causing hypotension and a slight compensatory increase in heart rate. Antihypertensives or diuretics may augment the hypotensive effect. 

Hildebrand S V, Arpin D, Cardinet G III 1990 Contracture test and histologic and histochemical analyses of muscle biopsy specimens from horses with exertional rhabdomyolysis. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 196 1077-1083 Hubbell J A, Bednarski R M, Muir W W 1989 Xylazine and tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Research 50 737-742 llkiw J E, Haskins S C, Patz J D 1991 Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of thiopental administration in hypovolemic dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 52 576-580... 

---