Comparison on the effects of etomidate and propofol on inducing intubation in difficult airway patients

Objective To compare the security and efficiency of etomidate and propofol on tracheal intubation in difficult airway patients.Methods Forty ASA physical status I~II patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomized into the etomidate group and propofol group(n=20).The heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure(MAP)as well as declining time of oxygen saturation levels(SpO2) from 100% to 90%, time of losing consciousness and recovery time of spontaneous breathing were measured after entering operating room, at the instant just before intubation, one minute and five minutes after intubation.Results When compared with the baseline,the change of MAP at the instant before intubation in etomidate group was significantly lesser than in the etomidate group(P0.01). The amplitude of SpO2 decrement in etomidate group was smaller than in the propofol group(P0.01) .The recovery time of spontaneous rspiration in etomidate group was shorter than that in propofol group(P0.01).Conclusion Etomidate has a good security for tracheal intubation in difficult airway patients, including less impact on blood circulation and short recovery duration of postoperative spontaneous breathing.