Midazolam, a new intravenous induction agent for anaesthesia

In an open non-comparative clinical trial 64 patients older than 18 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists ratings of I and II were studied. Under standardized conditions of premedication, anaesthesia was induced by injecting midazolam (Ro 21-3981) 0,15 or 0,3 mg/kg body weight intravenously. After endotracheal intubation with suxamethonium 1 mg/kg, anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen and enflurane or halothane. There were statistically significant cardiovascular changes during and/or after intubation but there were no clinical consequences. Midazolam allows rapid induction of and recovery from anaesthesia. There was no retrograde amnesia and a high proportion of the patients assessed the induction of anaesthesia as favourable. The local tolerance was very good. Midazolam seems to be a good alternative for induction of balanced anaesthesia.