Attenuation of hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation: A comparative study between esmolol and labetalol

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cardiovascular stress response to extubation can result in elevated heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressures which can be detrimental in high-risk patients. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The objective of this study is to compare the esmolol and labetalol efficacy in attenuating hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for elective surgical procedures were selected randomly and divided into two groups of thirty each. Group I - esmolol 1.5 mg/kg and Group II - labetalol 0.25 mg/kg were administered 2 min before extubation after following a standard perioperative anesthetic management. Hemodynamic parameters recorded include HR, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, reversal, study drug, 1 min after study drug, extubation, and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15 min postextubation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: min postextubation having statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Both esmolol and labetalol attenuated hemodynamic response. Esmolol was more efficient than labetalol at extubation and immediately postextubation. If patient has tachycardia at extubation, labetalol is preferred. If patient has raised blood pressure, then esmolol is a good option in blunting the response.