The change in calf muscle blood flow in the ischaemic limb during anaesthesia with pancuronium bromide.

Calf muscle blood flow was measured in eight patients with confirmed ischaemic disease of their lower limbs, before and during general anaesthesia which included pancuronium bromide and intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Anaesthesia was associated with a decrease in limb blood flow. Comparison of these results with those of a similar study in which tubocurarine was employed in a place of pancuronium suggest that tubocurarine causes a greater reduction in limb blood flow. Possible mechanisms for this are discussed.