Publication:

Oral premedication with pregabalin and clonidine for hemodynamic stability during laryngoscopy: A comparative study

Background Airway instrumentation of direct laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are noxious stimuli that should be attenuated by appropriate premedication, smooth induction, and rapid intubation. The present study evaluated the clinical efficacy of oral premedication with pregabalin or clonidine for attenuation of hemodynamic pressure response of airway instrumentation. The objective was to find out the efficacy of pregabalin and clonidine as an oral premedication and to observe hemodynamic stability during laryngoscopy.

Methods A total of 100 healthy patients aged 30-70 years with American Society of Anesthesiology Physical Status I and II of both gender, who met the inclusion criteria of general anesthesia, were randomly received pregabalin (150 mg) Group I or clonidine (100 µg) Group II, 60-70 mins before surgery as an oral premedication. Both groups were compared to pre-operative sedation, anxiety, heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, after premedication, induction, laryngoscopy, and extubation. Intraoperative analgesic drug requirement and any post-operative complication were recorded.

Results Incidence of hypotension and bradycardia were observed in 4% case in the clonidine group. Pre-operative sedation level was higher in the pregabalin group as compared to clonidine group. p>0.05 which shows there is no difference in both the drugs in terms of control of HR and MAP perioperatively. Both drugs are equally good to maintain hemodynamic stability during laryngoscopy. None of the patients has suffered from any post-operative side effects.

Conclusion Hemodynamic pressure response of airway instrumentation was attenuated with pregabalin and clonidine oral premedication without prolongation of recovery time and side effects.