Fcntanyl-atracurium-isoflurane (FAI) balanced anesthesia was used in open-heart surgery

and was compared with the results of fentanyl-pancuronium-isoflurane (FPI) balanced anesthesia. The does of fentanyl 20-30 g/kg

atracurium 0.3 mg/kg or pa-ncuronium 0.2 mg/kg was used for muscle relaxation

and intermittently isoflurane was inhaled. The results showed that(1 )greater increase in heart rates and blood pressure was observed during endotracheal intubation in FPI group than in group FAI

(2)atracurium had minimal hcmodynamic responses during the whole course

and po-stoperalive recovery of respiration was more rapid and satisfactory. It is concluded that fentanyl-atracurium-isoflurane balanced anesthesia is a preferable anesthetic technique in cardiac surgery