2023, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part B

Materials and Method: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in 80 ASA I-II patients of 18-60 years undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia. They were randomly divided into two groups of forty each. Anticipated ten minutes before the extubation Group D received intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg diluted in 10 ml normal saline and Group E received 10 ml of normal saline. Two min before extubation Group D received 10 ml normal saline and Group E received esmolol bolus dose 1 mg/kg diluted in 10 ml normal saline. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, extubation and emergence time, Ramsay sedation score and adverse events were recorded.

Results: Mean heart rate was significantly lower in group D from 5 min of drug administration till 20 min post extubation as compared to group E. Mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure were significantly lower in group D as compared to group E from 8 min after administration of drug till 20 min of post extubation (p<0.05). Emergence time, extubation time and adverse events were comparable in both the groups (p>0.05). Delayed emergence was observed in 2 patients in group D. More number of patients in group D were sedated.

Conclusion: IV dexmedetomidine is better in attenuating haemodynamic response to endotracheal extubation than esmolol because of comparatively stable haemodynamics, comparable emergence and extubation time, conscious sedation, less postoperative cough and agitation.