"Comparative efficacy of different doses of fentanyl on cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation".

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine an effective bolus dose of fentanyl, which would attenuate the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised double blind controlled study was carried out on 50 healthy adult patients (ASA I and II) undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 25 each i.e. group A and group B receiving fentanyl 3 μg/kg, 5 μg/kg intravenously three minutes before intubation respectively. The pulse rate, systolic blood pressure was recorded at induction, during intubation and at 1,3, 5 min post intubation.

RESULTS: The study showed that both the doses were equally effective in blunting the pulse rate response, but the 5μg /kg proved significantly effective in blunting the blood pressure response. The rate pressure product, a measure of cardiac O2 consumption was found to be significantly lower in fentanyl 5μg/kg compared to fentanyl 3μg/kg.

CONCLUSION: So, we conclude that both blood pressure and rate pressure product were completely abolished by a bolus dose of fentanyl 5μg /kg in comparison with fentanyl 3μg/kg following laryngoscopy and intubation.