Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Bolus administration of esmolol for controlling the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation: the Canadian Multicentre Trial.
A multicentre trial was designed to determine the dose-response and side-effects of esmolol when administered as a single iv bolus prior to induction of anaesthesia for controlling the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. Five hundred and forty-eight patients from 12 university-affiliated centres across Canada were randomized prospectively to receive either placebo (PLAC) or esmolol (E) in a dose of 100 mg (E100) or 200 mg (E200). Study medication was given immediately before induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone 3-5 mg.kg-1 and succinylcholine 1.5 mg.kg-1. ⋯ Other side-effects, such as bradycardia, bronchospasm or pain on injection, occurred no more frequently in either esmolol group than with placebo. It is concluded that a 100 mg bolus of esmolol is safe and effective for controlling the haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. This dose of esmolol combined with a low dose of narcotic (fentanyl 2-3 micrograms.kg-1 or equivalent) results in effective control of both heart rate and blood pressure, while avoiding important side-effects.