Haemodynamic effects of morphine in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract

The administration of analgesic drugs to patients with acute myocardial infarction is routine clinical practice for the alleviation of pain and anxiety or simply to ensure sleep. Because of the potent combination of analgesic and sedative properties, morphine is frequently given. Although the associated depressant effects on the circulatory and respiratory systems have been documented from animal experiments and work in normal man, the haemodynamic consequences of the adminis- tration of the drug to patients with acute myocardial infarction have previously not been investigated.