Comparison of the cardiovascular effects of 2.5% phenylephrine and 10% phenylephrine during ophthalmic surgery.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The recommended concentration of topical phenylephrine for mydriasis is still a matter of debate. Our purpose was to compare the cardiovascular effects of 10% and 2.5% topical aqueous phenylephrine.

METHODS:

We carried out a double-masked randomised study on 54 consecutive patients undergoing routine local anaesthetic cataract extraction, comparing the effects on blood pressure and heart rate of either 2.5% or 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine in combination with 1% topical aqueous tropicamide in those with no history of cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS:

No difference was found in the rise in blood pressure produced by 2.5% and 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine. We also found no sustained changes in blood pressure or heart rate after instillation of either 2.5% or 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine.

CONCLUSION:

We recommend the routine use of 2.5% topical aqueous phenylephrine as a mydriatic agent during cataract surgery and acknowledge the role of 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine as an effective mydriatic agent in cases where 2.5% phenylephrine may not be so effective, such as in subjects with darkly pigmented irides.

• Authors: R Malhotra, G Banerjee, W Brampton, N C Price
• Journal: Eye (London, England) (Eye (Lond)) Vol. 12 ( Pt 6) Pg. 973-5 ( 1998) ISSN: 0950-222X [Print] England
• PMID: 10325999 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Mydriatics
• Phenylephrine

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cataract Extraction
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Intraoperative Period
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mydriatics (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Phenylephrine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)