Etomidate as “A New Drug in Intravenous Anaesthesia” (Conclusion)

Abstract

Since March 1972, etomidate has been taken on clinical trial. Metabolism occurs quickly. Up to now, there was no evidence of histamine release or immunodepressant effect either in biochemical investigations or in clinical tests. A final conclusion, however, should only be made after many years of clinical experience. As shown in the EEG, the deep stages of narcosis are similar to those of barbiturates. The absence of analgesia and frequency of myocloni during etomidate narcosis make us assume that, unlike with barbiturates, there is no inhibition of the thalamic (diencephalic) region or of any subthalamic structures.