Publication:

Haemodynamic response to endotrachial intubation: direct versus video laryngoscopy

Background Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation is an integral part of general anesthesia. Endotracheal intubation involving conventional laryngoscopy produces a haemodynamic changes associated with increased heart and blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to compare the hemodynamic changes that occur during and after endotracheal intubation with either a conventional (Macintosh) laryngoscope or a video laryngoscope in patients who are ASA grade I and II.

Methods After getting approval from ethics committee and consent form from each patients 120 patients with age between 18-65 years of ASA-I, II grade were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. Group A was underwent with tracheal intubation with the Macintosh blade (size 3 blade and size 4) and group B with AWS (Pentax) video laryngoscope. The time taken to perform endotracheal intubation and haemodynamic changes associated with intubation were noted in both the groups at different time points.

Results The duration of laryngoscopy and intubation was significantly longer in group B (video laryngoscopy) when compared to group A patients. However, haemodynamic changes did not showed any significant differences between the groups.

Conclusions Video laryngoscopy did not offer any advantages in terms of haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation in patients when compared with conventional ones.