Comparing the Effects of Nebulized Dexmedetomidine and Nebulized Normal Saline (0.9%) in Blunting Haemodynamic Response to Laryngoscopy and Intubation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation are considered as the most critical events during administration of general anaesthesia as they provoke transient but marked sympathoadrenal response manifesting as hypertension and tachycardia. In this study, we compared the effect of nebulized dexmedetomidine and nebulized normal saline (0.9%) in blunting haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation. This was a Prospective, double blindedMATERIALS & METHOD: randomized controlled study on 60 patients of 18 to 60 years of age and either sex with American society of Anaesthesiologists class I,II & III, who were posted for elective surgery requiring general Anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Patients are equally divided into two groups, Group D and Group S (30 patients each). Control group S (n = 30) received nebulisation with 5 ml of normal saline and group D (n = 30) received 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine 5 ml 15 min before induction in sitting position. After intubation, the patient was undisturbed for a period of 10 minutes and cardiovascular parameters were recorded at different time. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired 't' test. P value of <0.05 is considered statistically Signicant. Demographics were comparable. Following laryngoscopy and intubation, heart rateRESULTS: (HR) systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were markedly increased in the control group whereas in group D there was a fall in Heart rate (P<0.001 at 0, 1 & 5 mins and P<0.05 at 10 min), SBP (P<0.001 at 0, 1, 5 & 10 mins interval), DBP (P<0.001 at 0, 1, 5 & 10 mins interval), MAP (P<0.001 at 0, 1, 5 & 10 mins interval). Nebulization of dexmedetomidine in a dose of 1 microgramg/kg isCONCLUSION: effective in blunting hemodynamic stress response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation as compared to normal saline.