• K A Payne, W B Murray, and J H Oosthuizen.
• Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Stellenbosch, Parowvallei, CP.
• S. Afr. Med. J. 1988 May 21; 73 (10): 584-6.

AbstractThe sympathetic response to laryngoscopy and intubation was studied in 39 patients who were to undergo surgical clipping of a cerebral aneurysm. Intravascular radial artery pressure and ECG monitoring for ST-segment changes or dysrhythmias were used. Ward blood pressures were controlled on bed rest and labetalol. Induction of anaesthesia was with pentothal 4 mg/kg and suxamethonium 1 mg/kg intravenously. This was followed by one of the following intravenous agents by random choice: alfentanil 30 micrograms/kg, fentanyl 5 micrograms/kg, lignocaine 2 mg/kg, and lignocaine 10% spray 2 mg/kg to the larynx. ECG changes at laryngoscopy and intubation were minimal. Intubation produced an immediate increase in blood pressure and pulse rate, maximal at 30-60 seconds, falling rapidly towards normal within 2-3 minutes. Alfentanil was very effective in obtunding this response with stable cardiovascular parameters; fentanyl produced a more variable response; and intravenous lignocaine was less satisfactory. Lignocaine spray was ineffective.

24 keywords...

hide…