RESUMEN
Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation frequently induces a cardiovascular stress response due to reflex symbathetic stimulation. This response may be hazardous in patients with Hypertension, Coronary artery disease, Myocardial disease, cerebrovascular disease. Numerous agents have therefore been utilized to blunt this response. The present study was undertaken in view of above mentioned facts, to compare effectiveness of intravenous esmolol and lignocaine in suppressing the cardiovascular stress response. Patients were divided in to three groups of 20 patients each. Group-C did not receive any drug under study. Group-L received lignocaine and Group-E received esmolol three minutes before intubation. All the groups were observed for changes in haemodynamic parameters i.e. heart rate (HR) systolic and diastolic blood pressure every minute after intubation till 5 minutes post intubation. It was found that patients given esmolol had better attenuation of stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation than patients given lignocaine.