An Observational Study of Oral Clonidine as A Pre-medicant for Attenuation of Hemodynamic Responses to Laryngoscopy and Intubation

Introduction: Endo-tracheal intubation causes noxious stimulation to hemodynamics. In search for an ideal agent to attenuate this response, many drugs have been used. Clonidine is an α2-agonist and have been used as a premedicant to attenuate hemodynamic response. Aim: To observe the attenuating effect of oral clonidine on hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Setting and Design: This was an observational comparative study. Material and Method: 44 patients of either sex, aged of 18- 65 years,ASA I and II undergoing for elective surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled. They were randomly allocated to receive oral clonidine (100 mcg) or placebo (vitamin B complex) as premedication 60- 90 min before induction. Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were recorded before, immediately after and then 1, 3 min and thereafter every 5 min after intubation until 30 min. Result:A statistically significant difference was observed in heart rate, systolic blood pressures and means arterial pressure and was significantly higher in Placebo group following intubation. Conclusion:Oral clonidine 100mcg in preanesthetic period, provide more haemodynamic stability and attenuate the stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation