A comparative study of haemodynamic effects of propofol and etomidate used as induction agent in general anaesthesia

Abstract

Background: As an induction agent, a variety of anaesthetic medications have been utilised. Despite being the most widely used induction drug, propofol induces a considerable decrease in arterial pressure. Another drug, etomidate, has the advantage of lowering blood pressure. Materials and Methods: The research enrolled fifty patients who were scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia and were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Over the course of 30-60 seconds, all patients received intravenous fentanyl citrate (2ug/kg) followed by a study medication. The propofol group (Gr P) got 2.5 mg/kg of propofol, whereas the etomidate group (Gr E) received 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate. Before induction, at the conclusion of induction (lack of eyelid reflex), at the end of intubation, and after 5 minutes of intubation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and SpO2 were measured. Pain upon injection and myoclonus were also reported as side effects. Results: Mean heart rate, SBP, DBP, and MAP recorded at different time intervals were lowest in Gr P. Pain on injection was significantly increased in Gr P (56%). Myoclonus was seen in Gr E (12%). Conclusion: Induction with 0.2 mg/kg of etomidate is better for its hemodynamic stability over propofol (2.5 mg/kg) along with less incidence of pain on injection. Only drawback was incidence of myoclonus.