South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Obtunding the sympathetic response to intubation. Experience at 2 minutes after administration of the test agent in patients with cerebral aneurysms.
The 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. ⋯ 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.