Blood Pressure Effects of Lower Abdominal Aortic Surgery with Particular Reference to the Use of Morphine and Droperidol in Modifying the Responses

Hypertensive responses during operations on the abdominal aorta are common. We have shown that hypertensive changes occur before cross-clamping of the aorta. We have also shown that droperidol modifies the hypertensive changes in operations on the lower aorta. Although further studies are required, our preliminary results show a higher rise of serum epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in one patient receiving morphine, as compared to one patient receiving the same dose per unit body weight of morphine plus droperidol. With maintenance of adequate pre-operative hydration and intra-operative fluid and blood replacement, declamping hypotension was transient in both groups of our patients.