BLOOD-PRESSURE AND PULSE-RATE RESPONSES TO ENDOTRACHEAL EXTUBATION WITH AND WITHOUT PRIOR INJECTION OF LIDOCAINE

Intravenous injection of lidocaine (1 mg/kg) administered 2 min before endotracheal extubation prevents coughing and increases in blood pressure and pulse rate during and after extubation. It is suggested that intravenous administration of lidocaine prior to endotracheal extubation should be advantageous to the patient who has coronary-artery disease and cannot tolerate increases in cardiovascular dynamics.