European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of oral clonidine 200 mcg with oral gabapentin 900 mg in attenuating haemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation with regard to heart rate, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), mean arterial pressure, and rate pressure product. We also wanted to ascertain the effectiveness of oral clonidine 200 mcg with oral gabapentin 900 mg or vice versa in attenuating haemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Methods: This was a hospital-based study conducted among 100 ASA1 and ASA2 patients posted for surgeries under general anaesthesia in KIMS, IEC/D/-49/2017, from 16th November 2017 to 23rd October 2018, after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants.  Results: Both groups showed attenuation of stress response. In gabapentin group, there was an increase in SBP, DBP and MBP up to 3 minutes, RPP up to 4 minutes HR up to 10 minutes after that, it was maintained below the baseline. In clonidine group, there was no rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure or rate pressure product compared to the baseline from the 1st minute of intubation which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Post extubation, clonidine group patients were more sedated than those in gabapentin group. Conclusion: Both clonidine and gabapentin attenuate the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation. When both of these drugs were compared, clonidine attenuated the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation better than gabapentin and afforded good haemodynamic stability. Post extubation, clonidine group patients were more sedated than those in gabapentin group.