Variation of hemodynamic response following induction and tracheal intubation: etomidate vs midazolam

Background: Induction and endotracheal intubation are invariably associated with certain cardiovascular changes during anaesthesia practice and can lead to sudden swings of blood pressure, arrhythmias, MI and cardiovascular collapse especially in geriatric and haemodynamically unstable patients. Therefore it is desirable to use a safer agent with fewer adverse effects to minimise these complications. Present prospective randomized study is designed to compare the haemodynamic alterations and various adverse effects following induction with etomidate and midazolam.Methods: Hundred ASA I and II patients of age group 18-60 years scheduled for elective surgical procedure under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each receiving etomidate (0.3mg/kg) and midazolam (0.15mgk/kg) as an induction agent. Vital parameters before and after induction and thereafter at specified time interval following laryngoscopy and intubation were recorded for comparison. Adverse effect viz. pain on injection, apnea and myoclonic activity were also carefully watched.Results: Demographic variables in both the groups were comparable. Patients in both the groups showed little change in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) from baseline value (p >0.05). Pain on injection and myoclonic activity were seen in etomidate group while delayed awakening was seen with Midazolam group.Conclusions: This study concludes that both etomidate and midazolam provides haemodynamic stability but Midazolam can be preferred as an induction agent in view of fewer side effects

Attenuation of stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation: sublingual nitroglycerin spray vs intravenous fentanyl and sublingual nitroglycerin spray

Background: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation is invariably associated with certain cardiovascular changes such as tachycardia, rise in blood pressure and a wide variety of cardiac arrhythmias. 1 Such complications are highly detrimental in patients with limited cardiovascular reserve specially in geriatric and elderly population. Various pharmacological agents have been used to attenuate these stress responses but none has yet been considered ideal. Therefore, purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of sublingual Nitroglycerine spray alone and sublingual Nitroglycerine spray with intravenous Fentanyl to attenuate the pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation in normotensive patients.Methods: A total of 120 ASA I and II patients of age group 18-60 years scheduled for elective surgical procedure under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 3 groups of 40 in each group. Group 1 control group, Group 2, received NTG sub-lingual spray (0.4mg/spray) two min. before induction, and Group 3 received inj. Fentanyl (2µg/kg) 5min before + NTG sub-lingual spray (0.4 mg/spray) 2min before induction. Vital parameters before and after induction and thereafter at specified time interval following laryngoscopy and intubation were recorded for comparison.Results: Demographic characteristics and baseline vital parameters in both the groups were comparable. Significant differences in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were observed in between the groups during postintubation period.Conclusions: Combination of intravenous Fentanyl plus Nitroglycerin spray is more effective than NTG alone in attenuating the stress response following laryngoscopy and intubation

A clinical comparative study of two intubating doses of cis-atracurium during general anaesthesia for gynaecological surgery

Background: Cisatracurium is one of the cis-cis isomer of atracurium (51W89:1R-cis 1’R-cis atracurium) an intermediate duration non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking drug and is devoid of histamine release. However, 2× ED95 dose of cisatracurium does not provide satisfactory intubating condition. The recommended intubating dose of cisatracurium is 3 ×ED95. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare duration of action, hemodynamic effects and any adverse effects for different doses of cisatracurium.Methods: After Institutional Ethical Committee approval and informed patient consent, 80 patients of ASA I and II in the age group of 20-60 years were selected and included in the study. Patients were divided in two groups of 40 each, group A received intravenously 3×ED95 (0.15 mg/kg) loading dose of cisatracurium and group B received intravenously 4×ED95 (0.2 mg/kg) loading dose of cisatracurium.Results: After induction, MAP and HR shows decrease in both groups but neither statistically nor clinically significant. Better hemodynamic stability and longer duration of action was found in group B compared to group A. No adverse effects noted in both groups.Conclusions: 4×ED95 dose of cisatracurium provides longer duration of action and more stable hemodynamic status than 3×ED95. No associated signs of histamine release were detected clinically

Comparison of intrathecal magnesium and fentanyl as adjuvants to hyperbaric bupivacaine in preeclamptic parturients undergoing elective cesarean sections

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the onset, duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic effects (if any), duration and quality of postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects of magnesium or fentanyl given intrathecally with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine in patients with mild preeclampsia undergoing elective caesarean sections. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 women with mild preeclampsia undergoing elective cesarean section were included in a prospective, double-blind, controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to receive spinal anesthesia with 2 mL 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with 12.5 μg fentanyl (Group F) or 0.1 mL of 50% magnesium sulfate (50 mg) (Group M) with 0.15 ml preservative free distilled water. Onset, duration and recovery of sensory and motor block, time to maximum sensory block, duration of spinal anesthesia and postoperative analgesia requirements were studied. Statistical comparison was carried out using the Chi-square or Fisher′s exact tests and independent Student′s t-test where appropriate. Results: The onset of both sensory and motor block was slower in the magnesium group. The duration of spinal anesthesia (246 min ± 11 min vs. 284 min ± 15 min; P < 0.001) and motor block (186.3 ± 12 min vs. 210 ± 10 min; P < 0.001) were significantly longer in the magnesium group. Total analgesic dose requirement was less in Group M. Hemodynamic parameters were comparable in the two groups. Intrathecal magnesium caused minimal side effects. Conclusions: The addition of magnesium sulfate 50 mg to bupivacaine for sub-arachnoid block in patients with mild preeclampsia undergoing elective cesarean section prolongs the duration of analgesia and reduces postoperative analgesic requirements without additional side effects and adverse neonatal outcome