A comparative study between clonidine and dexmedetomidine in attenuation of pressor response during endotracheal intubation

Aims: 1.To study and compare efficiency of clonidine and dexmedetomidine to reduce haemodynamic response i.e. attenuation of pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation with single premedication dose. 2. To evaluate dose sparing effect of clonidine and dexmedetomidine on induction agent. Materials and Methods: 60 patients physical status ASA grade I and II were randomized into two groups: C and D (n = 30 in each group). Group C received 1µg/kg of clonidine while group D received 1µg/kg of dexmedetomidine preoperatively over 10 minutes before induction through syringe infusion pump. Each patient was induced with injection Thiopentone sodium until loss of eyelash reflex. After check ventilation succinylcholine 2 mg/kg was given followed by tracheal intubation. Anaesthesia was maintained with O2+ N2O(50:50) and Vecuronium supplemented with isoflurane. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Results: We observed no statistical difference in heart rate, blood pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure) between the two groups from baseline up to induction between two groups. Group C had higher readings of HR, SBP, DBP and MAP compared to group D after intubation upto 3 min which was statistically significant. Induction dose of thiopentone was lower in dexmedetomidine group and was statistically significant. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine attenuated the hemodynamic pressor response and also reduces the dose requirement of thiopentone sodium and was superior to clonidine. Keywords: Clonidine, Dexmedetomidine, Premedication, Pressor response.