Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 13, 40-47, Copyright © 1966 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Laboratory and Clinical Studies of 2-Phenylalanine-8-Lysine Vasopressin (Octapressin)

¹ Department of Anaesthesia, University of Toronto

The recognized and well-documented dangers of using epinephrine and similar vasoconstrictors for the production of haemostasis in the presence of cyclopropane and halogenated hydrocarbon anaesthetic agents gives importance to the search for effective vasoconstrictor substances which do not increase the irritability of the heart and its conducting system. Octapressin (2-phenylalanine-8-lysine-vasopressin) has been presented as a substance which may be safely used in association with such agents.

The influence of Octapressin on cardiac rhythm was studied by intravenous injection into cats anaesthetized with halothane and cyclopropane. The injection of pressor units of Octapressin failed to produce any electrocardiographic disturbances, but in each case injection of 1 c.c. of 1/50,000 Adrenaline solution at the conclusion of the experiment produced ventricular arrhythmia.

Octapressin was used by injection for the production of haemostasis in the presence of halothane in 30 cases and of cyclopropane in 2 cases during surgical operation. Cardiac rhythm was monitored on lead II of the electrocardiogram, and in no case did any arrhythmia appear which could be attributed to the use of the vasoconstricting agent. This experience in the laboratory and in clinical surgery suggests that Octapressin may be safely used as a local vasoconstricting agent in the presence of halothane and cyclopropane.