Landiolol attenuates the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation.

Purpose: The objective of this prospective study was to compare the cardiovascular responses with or without landiolol to the induction of general anesthesia and tracheal intubation.

Methods: Twenty-two patients were randomly allocated to receive a loading dose of landiolol 125 microg kg(-1) min(-1) for 1 min followed by an infusion at 40 microg kg(-1) min(-1) for 4 min, or placebo. Four minutes after landiolol or placebo was started, propofol and succinylcholine were administered. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation were performed 1 min after the administration of succinylcholine. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured noninvasively every minute.

Results: A significant attenuation of the heart rate and blood pressure response were seen in the landiolol group for 3 min after intubation. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure in the landiolol group were decreased for 2 min before intubation and just before intubation compared with baseline, respectively.

Conclusion: Continuous administration of landiolol before tracheal intubation results in the attenuation of cardiovascular response for tracheal intubation.