Comparative effects of esmolol and airway blocks in attenuating the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation

Background and Aims: Hemodynamic stability is one of the main goals of any anaesthesiologist. The main cause of transient hemodynamic instability and interruption of patients airway reflexes is laryngoscopy and intubation. This study was done to compare the effects of esmolol and airway blocks in attenuating the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation.Methods: After approval of the study protocol by the institutional ethical committee, written informed consent was obtained from each patient. It was a randomized controlled double blinded study. 60 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status one and two scheduled for elective surgery under General Anaesthesia, aged between 18 and 65 yrs were randomly allocated into two groups - esmolol (n=30) and airway blocks (n=30). Group 1 received injection esmolol 0.5mg/kg body weight. Group 2 received superior laryngeal nerve both sides with 2ml 2% plain Lignocaine each side and translaryngeal block with 3 ml 4% Lignocaine.Results: Following laryngoscopy and intubation, the increase in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly lower (p<0.05) in airway blocks group after 1 min and after 5 mins of intubation.Conclusion: Airway blocks was significantly more effective in attenuating the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation in comparison to esmolol 0.5mg/kg.