A comparative study of intravenous low doses of dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and magnesium sulfate for attenuation of hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation

BACKGROUND: Endotracheal intubation is an integral part of general anesthesia. The hemodynamic stress responses associated with it, though transient, are unpredictable and variable. In comparison with healthy individuals, those with comorbid health issues can have life-threatening complications with this sympathetic response. Hence, in this study, we compared the efficacy of intravenous low doses of dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, and magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) in reduction of the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized study compared three groups of dexmedetomidine (0.6 μg/kg) (Group D), fentanyl (2 µg/kg) (Group F), and MgSO(4)30 mg/kg (Group M). A total of 105 American Society of Anesthesiologist's 1 and 2 patients were selected with 35 in each group. The hemodynamic variables recorded at baseline, during induction and intubation up to ten minutes were pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean blood pressure. The assessment of quantitative and qualitative data was done with the one-way ANOVAs, Student's t-test, and Chi-square test. Analysis of variance was done by post hoc tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences that were observed with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl groups in respect to heart rate and blood pressure responses to laryngoscopy and intubation when compared to MgSO(4). A significant attenuation of response from baseline values was also noted with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl groups. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of low doses of both dexmedetomidine and fentanyl was equipotent in attenuating response in comparison with MgSO(4), and we conclude that dexmedetomidine can serve as an alternative to fentanyl.