Esmolol blunts the haemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation in treated hypertensive patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability of different bolus doses of esmolol to blunt the haemodynamic effects of laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in treated hypertensive patients.

METHODS: In this randomised, double-blind placebo controlled study, 45 ASA II patients, treated for essential hypertension with drugs other than beta blockers, were divided into three groups of 15 patients each. Patients in different groups either received 20 ml normal saline (Group P), or 100 mg esmolol (Group E100) or 200 mg esmolol (Group E200) as a single bolus intravenous dose before laryngoscopy and intubation. Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored for up to 10 min following intubation and were compared with respective basal readings as well as across groups.

RESULTS: Esmolol alone reduced systolic arterial pressure (P < 0.01 in Group E100 and P < 0.001 in Group E200) and heart rate (P < 0.001). Though there was an increase in arterial pressure and heart rate in the control group, esmolol 100 mg maintained arterial pressure and heart rate at levels comparable to basal values throughout the study (P > 0.05). Patients receiving esmolol 200 mg had lower values (P < 0.001) than their basal readings during most of the post-intubation study period.

CONCLUSION: Esmolol 100 mg given as bolus, is effective as well as safe in blunting the haemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in treated hypertensive patients.