European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Endotracheal extubation causes transient hemodynamic stimulation leading to increase in blood pressure and heart rate due to increase in sympathoadrenergic activity caused by epipharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal stimulation. Lignocaine, a Sodium channel blocker attenuates the hemodynamic response to tracheal extubation by inhibiting sodium channels in the neuronal cell membrane, decreasing the sensitivity of the heart muscles to electric impulses. Diltiazem, a Calcium channel blocker attenuates hemodynamic response by blocking voltage sensitive L type channels, and inhibiting calcium entry mediated action potential in smooth and cardiac muscle. It also has peripheral vasodilation property. Esmolol, a Beta blocker attenuates hemodynamic response by blocking sympathetic nervous system. Methodology- 90 patients admitted for elective surgeries posted under general anaesthesia at Kidwai memorial institute of oncology, Bangalore during the duration of December 2018 to May 2019 were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of 30 each. Randomization done by computer generated table. Group A: received Inj. Diltiazem 0.1mg/kg and preservative free lignocaine 1mg/kg. Group B: received Inj. Esmolol 0.5mg/kg and lignocaine 1mg/kg. Group C: received Inj. lignocaine 1mg/kg. Hemodynamic parameters HR, SBP, DBP, MAP were recorded before extubation (pre reversal) and 1min, 2mins, 3mins, 5mins and 10mins post extubation. In this study, the dosage was fixed based on previous studies. Results- Post extubation, the decrease in mean heart rate was statistically significant in Group B in comparison with Group C (control group) from 1 min post extubation till 10 min. There was increase in heart rate in Group A compared to Group C (control group) which is not statistically significant. Also there was slight decrease in heart rate in Group B compared to Group A (both study group) which is statistically significant at all the intervals. Conclusion- Smaller doses of esmolol when combined with lignocaine gives much better results when compared to Diltiazem + Lignocaine combination and lignocaine alone.