AbstractBackground: The pressure response, which is part of a huge spectrum of stress response, results from the increase in sympathetic and sympathoadrenal activity. This study aims to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine and labetalol on cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and intubation.
Methods: Seventy ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation were randomized into two groups, Group D received intravenous (IV) Dexmedetomidine (1.0µg / kg) diluted to 10 ml with normal saline, infused over 10 mins, 10min prior intubation and group L received IV labetalol 0.3mg/kg diluted to 10ml with normal saline over 2mins, 5min prior intubation. Heart rates (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP) Mean arterial pressure(MAP), rate pressure product (RPP) and adverse effects were recorded at baseline (T0) , 2 min after administration of study drug (T1), 1min after induction (T2) and at 1min (T3), 3min (T4), 5 min (T5) and 10min (T6) after intubation.
Results: There was a significant fall in HR, MAP and RPP in group D than group L at T1 and T2. After intubation HR (83.20±11.396 vs 94.00±8.898), MAP (87.09±10.942 vs 94.94±10.942) and RPP (9.46±1.777 vs 11.82±1.855) were significantly lower in group D than group L.
Conclusion: Administration of a single preinduction IV dexmedetomidine at the dose of 1µg/kg resulted in significant attenuation of the rise in the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure and rate pressure product than labetalol 0.3mg/kg.