Effects of a Combination of Nicardipine and Alfentanil on Hemodynamic Response after Endotracheal Intubation

Background: The present study was designed to examine the effect of a combination of nicardipine and low dose alfentanil on hemodynamic response following endotracheal intubation. Methods: Thirty patients (20-65 yr) were assigned randomly to receive nicardipine (N: /kg) or a combination of nicardipine and low dose of alfentanil (NA: nicardipine /kg and alfentanil /kg). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at 1, 2 min after anesthetic induction, and every minute for 5 min after intubation. Results: The magnitude of increases in SBP and DBP were non-significantly smaller in the NA group than in the N group, and increase in HR were significantly lower in the NA group. Conclusions: These results indicate that the nicardipine with alfentanil combination was more effective than nicardipine alone at attenuating blood pressure and heart rate increases following intubation.