Publication:

Comparative assessment of efficacy of lignocaine (1.5 mg/kg), esmolol (300 µg/kg), and dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) in minimizing the pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation

Background The objectives of the present study were to compare the effect of lignocaine (1.5 mg/kg IV given 3 mins before laryngoscopy and intubation), esmolol (300 µg/kg as a bolus 2 mins before intubation), and dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg IV over 10 mins) on the pressor response in non-hypertensive American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I and II patients posted for elective surgery and the pharmacoeconomic and pharmacoepidemiological inferences drawn on comparison of these drugs.

Methods After approval by the Institutional Ethics Committee, 90 consenting adult patients aged 18-65 years of age of either sex of non-hypertensive ASA Grade I or II undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were included in this randomized, prospective study protocol. (1) Group L: Patients were given IV lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg. (2) Group E: Patients were given IV esmolol 300 µg/kg. (3) Group D: Patients were given IV dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg. Adequate monitoring, oxygenation, and hydration were established on the entry in the operating room (OR). All hemodynamic data were measured on arrival in OR, before induction, before intubation, and at 1, 3, 5 mins after intubation by an independent observer. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium and fentanyl 2 μg/kg; intubation was performed with cuffed oral endotracheal tube of appropriate size for airway management. Surgery was allowed to start only after 5 mins of intubation.

Results Esmolol effectively blunted the blood pressure response to intubation, but incompletely attenuated the increase in heart rate (HR). Dexmedetomidine was more effective than lignocaine in minimizing the increase in HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) subsequent to endotracheal intubation.

Conclusion Dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg has manifested to maintain hemodynamic stability associated with intubation and hence may prove beneficial for cardiac patients where the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation is highly undesirable.