ABSTRACT
Introduction: Cisatracurium unlike atracurium is devoid of histamine-induced cardiovascular effects and this would be thegreatest advantage in replacing atracurium for the facilitation of endotracheal intubation.Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of atracurium 0.5 (2 ED95) mg/kg IV versus two different dosesof cisatracurium, i.e., 0.1 (2 ED95) and 0.15 (3 ED95) mg/kg IV for intubation with regard to onset time for intubation, intubingconditions, duration of blockade, and hemodynamic parameters.Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 patients of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades 1 and 2 undergoingelective surgeries under general anesthesia were taken up and divided into three groups of 50 each by computer-generatedrandomization. GroupA received Inj. atracurium besylate 0.5 mg/kg IV, Group B received Inj. cisatracurium besylate 0.1 mg/kg IV,and Group C received Inj. cisatracurium besylate 0.15 mg/kg IV.Results: The three groups were compared regarding the onset of blockade, duration of blockade, condition of intubation,hemodynamic effects, and results analyzed.Conclusion: Cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg provides excellent intubating conditions with rapid onset of action, with longer durationof action and no significant hemodynamic changes when compared with cisatracurium 0.1 mg/kg and atracurium 0.5 mg/kgand hence cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg can be used as an ideal non-depolarizing muscle relaxant for intubation.