EFFECTS OF NICARDIPINE ON THE CIRCULATORY RESPONSES TO TRACHEAL INTUBATION IN NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of nicardipine on circulatory responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal incubation in normotensive (n = 39) and hypertensive (n = 36) patients. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed after induction of anaesthesia with thiamylal, followed by administration of intravenous saline or nicardipine 20 or 30 μg.kg−1 and suxamethonium. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded, and rate‐pressure product was calculated. Nicardipine 20 and 30 μg.kg−1 prevented the increase in mean arterial pressure after intubation in normotensive and hypertensive patients (p < 0.01 compared with saline). The changes in heart rate after intubation were significantly greater in normotensive patients than in hypertensive patients when 20 or 30 μg.kg−1 of nicardipine was given (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). Rate‐pressure product increased significantly (p < 0.01) after intubation in normotensive patients whether nicardipine was administered or not, but the increase was suppressed completely by nicardipine 20 or 30 μg.kg−1 in hypertensive patients. We conclude that nicardipine is effective in preventing the circulatory responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in hypertensive patients. Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved