Which anesthetic is most likely to cause myocardial depression?

Which anesthetic is most likely to cause myocardial depression?

• A. Propofol
• B. Thiopental
• C. Etomidate
• D. Ketamine

Answer: (B)

The main idea is how induction agents affect heart function. Myocardial depression means reduced contractility, which lowers cardiac output and often lowers blood pressure. Among the drugs listed, the one most likely to blunt the heart’s pumping ability is thiopental. It has a pronounced direct negative inotropic effect and causes vasodilation, which together markedly reduce cardiac output. In contrast, etomidate is known for cardiovascular stability with minimal impact on the heart’s pumping function, ketamine tends to raise heart rate and blood pressure rather than depress myocardial contractility, and propofol also depresses the heart and causes vasodilation, but the question’s best choice points to thiopental as the agent with the strongest depressive effect on the myocardium in this context.

The main idea is how induction agents affect heart function. Myocardial depression means reduced contractility, which lowers cardiac output and often lowers blood pressure. Among the drugs listed, the one most likely to blunt the heart’s pumping ability is thiopental. It has a pronounced direct negative inotropic effect and causes vasodilation, which together markedly reduce cardiac output. In contrast, etomidate is known for cardiovascular stability with minimal impact on the heart’s pumping function, ketamine tends to raise heart rate and blood pressure rather than depress myocardial contractility, and propofol also depresses the heart and causes vasodilation, but the question’s best choice points to thiopental as the agent with the strongest depressive effect on the myocardium in this context.