EFFECT OF METOCLOPRAMIDE GIVEN BEFORE ATROPINE SULFATE ON LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER TONE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (13) , 465-467
Abstract
The effects of lower esophageal sphincter (LOS) tone of sequential i.v. injections of metoclopramide 10 mg/atropine 0.6 mg and atropine 0.6 mg/metochlopramide 10 mg, given randomly on separate occasions to 8 healthy volunteers were studied. The administration of metoclopramide increased mean LOS pressure by 13.6 cm H2O (P < 0.001). Subsequent injection of atropine failed to lower LOS pressure significantly, LOS pressure being sustained at a mean of 11.2 cm H2O above basal control levels (P < 0.01). Injection of atropine at a later date in the same subjects lowered the average LOS pressure by 10.5 cm H2O (P < 0.001), and subsequent i.v. injections of metoclopramide restored LOS pressure to basal levels. Evidently, metoclopramide should be given prior to atropine before induction of general anesthesia to counteract the deleterious effects of atropine on LOS tone, thereby helping to reduce the chances of regurgitation and pulmonary aspiration of acid gastric contents.