Attenuation of hypertensive response with esmolol and labetalol in low doses in orotracheal intubation: A comparative study

Introduction: This was a prospective, randomized, double blind, comparative, clinical study to assess the efficacy of Esmolol and Labetalol, in low doses, for attenuation of sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 50 ASA 1 patients of either sex undergoing elective surgeries under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomized into two groups; group E who received intravenous Esmolol (0.5 mg/kg) or group L who received intravenous Labetalol (0.25 mg /kg) prior to induction and hemodynamic parameters were recorded as per designed protocol to assess stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation. Results: Both the study groups had similar demographic profile. Instat version 3.10 was used for statistical calculations. The study data were analyzed using statistical methods of mean, standard deviation. Esmolol (0.5 mg/kg), abetalol (0.25 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the rise in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and RPP during laryngoscopy and intubation. However, the difference was not statistically significant among the values for DBP and MAP. Conclusion: From our clinical study it can be concluded that in lower doses, intravenous Labetalol (0.25 mg/kg) is a better agent than intravenous Esmolol (0.5 mg/kg) in attenuating the sympathomimetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation. Usual dose of esmolol used to obtund intubation response is 2-4mg/kg, while labetalol has been tried in all doses ranging from 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mg/kg.17 Keywords: Esmolol, Labetalol, Stress response, Laryngoscopy and Intubation.