A comparative study of intravenous dexmedetomidine and intravenous clonidine for attenuating pressor responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation

Abstract

Introduciton: Laryngoscopy and intubation are noxious stimuli that activate sympathetic nervous system causing tachycardia and hypertension. Both Clonidine and Dexmedetomidine are α2 agonist attenuate sympathoadrenal response by inhibiting norepinephrine release but dexmedetomidine has 8 times greater affinity than Clonidine.Aims and objective: The aim is to compare the effects of IV Clonidine 1μg/kg and IV Dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg in attenuating hemodynamic responses during laryngoscopy and intubation. Material and method: 90 patients of age 18-60 yr of either sex of ASA 1 & 2 physical status are randomly allocated into 3 groups (30 each). Group D and group C received IV Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg and IV Clonidine 1 μg/kg respectively diluted in 100 ml of normal saline and group P infused 100 ml of normal saline, over 10 minutes, 15 minutes before induction. HR, SBP, DBP and MAP are recorded at baseline, after drug administration & after induction and laryngoscopy then at 1, 3,5,10,15 minutes after intubation.Results: HR, SBP, DBP and MAP are lower in group D and C as compared to group P at all time intervals. However these hemodynamic parameters are significantly more stable in group D compared to group C at all time intervals.
Conclusion: Both Dexmedetomidine and Clonidine are effective in attenuating hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation but Dexmedetomidine is better than Clonidine.