Dosing study of esmolol for reducing hemodynamic changes during lightwand intubation

Effects of esmolol infusion on cardiovascular parameters and quality of general anaesthesia in younger and older patients

Background: Esmolol is a cardioselective b-adrenergic antagonist that is used during general anaesthesia to blunt the sympathetic reflex tachycardia and hypertension. The aim of the study was to investigate whether the potential beneficial and adverse effects of esmolol differ depending on the patient age. Methods: A total of 50 ASA I/II patients scheduled for elective upper abdominal surgery were divided in two groups: younger (patients aged up to 35 years) and older (patients older than 65). After premedication with Diazepam, they were infused with esmolol during the first 5 min at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg/min and 0.1 mg/kg/min thereafter. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium 3-5 mg/kg intravenously (iv) and fentanyl 1.5 µg/kg IV. Tracheal intubation was facilitated with suxamethonium 1-2 mg/kg IV. Long-term neuromuscular blockade was induced with pancuronium bromide 0.07 mg/kg IV bolus and maintained with incremental IV boluses of 0.01 mg/ kg. Inhalational anaesthesia was maintained with a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (O2 /N2 O) 2 : 1. Results: The systolic blood pressure remained constant during the intubation phase in the group of older patients, at the same time being around 89 % of the pre-induction values, while in younger patients it rose up to 100 %. During the same phase of anaesthesia, the diastolic blood pressure in older patients remained at about 91 %, while in younger patients it rose up to 107 % of the pre-induction values. The consumption of drugs and the speed and quality of the recovery from anaesthesia did not differ between the two groups of patients. Conclusion: Infusion of esmolol contributes to the concept of general balanced anaesthesia in elective patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery equally in younger and older patients.

Effects of the ultra-short-acting beta-blocker Esmolol infusion on cardiovascular parameters and quality of postoperative recovery in patients scheduled for elective plastic surgery

Background/Aim: Esmolol is an ultra-short-acting, easily titratable b-adrenergic receptor antagonist used for urgent treatment of hypertension and tachycardia in non-surgical and surgical settings. Aim of this clinical study was to investigate its cardiovascular effects and quality of the emergence from anaesthesia in patients scheduled for elective plastic surgery under general balanced anaesthesia. Methods: A total of 30 ASA I/II patients were randomised in two groups of similar demographic characteristics and baseline values of cardiovascular parameters. Esmolol group received esmolol dissolved in glucose 5 % as an intravenous infusion, 0.3 mg/kg/min during the first 5 min and at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg/ min thereafter. Control patients received the solvent only, at the same rate and volume. General balanced anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone sodium and fentanyl and maintained with nitrous oxide and oxygen. Neuromuscular relaxation was assured with pancuronium bromide and was antagonised at the end of operation with atropine and neostigmine. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were registered at all critical phases: (1) immediately prior to the induction (baseline value), (2) induction to anaesthesia, (3) tracheal intubation, (4) first skin incision, (5) surgical manipulation with organs, (6) suture of the surgical wound and (7) tracheal extubation. Drug consumption and quality of postoperative recovery were monitored. Results: In most of the critical phases of anaesthesia and operation, patients from the Esmolol group had significantly lower values of cardiovascular parameters than the patients from the Control group. Esmolol-treated patients needed less fentanyl, droperidol and pancuronium and had faster and smoother emergence from anaesthesia than the control patients. Conclusion: Esmolol improved haemodynamics and post-anaesthesia recovery in patients undergoing elective plastic surgery under general balanced anaesthesia.