Changes in human plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity after ketamine and halothane anesthesia.

The intravenous administration of ketamine hydrochloride to fifteen patients undergoing surgery produced no change in circulating plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), although it produced a significant increase both in systolic blood pressure (BP) and diastolic BP during anesthesia. Halothane anesthesia that depress BP also produced no change in plasma DBH activity.