Hemodynamic variation following induction and tracheal intubation--thiopental vs propofol.

Background/aim: Hemodynamic variations are inevitable during induction of anesthetic drugs. The present study, investigates the hemodynamic variations of two different drugs used for induction; Thiopental vs. Propofol.

Materials And Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study, from June 2003 to November 2004, 120 (ASA I and II) patients scheduled for elective surgery, were randomly divided into two equal groups. Patients were premedicated with midazolam (0.05 mg/kg) and fentanyl (1 microg/kg). Anesthesia was induced with either thiopental 5 mg/kg (group T) or propofol 2 mg/kg (group P). Neuromuscular blockade was achieved with atracurium (0.5 mg/kg) and anesthesia was maintained with halothane 1%, nitrous oxide (67%) in O2. Hemodynamic variable (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate) were measured non-invasively in three periods: before drug administration, immediately after injection, prior to intubation, and finally immediately after intubation.

Results: the incidence of hemodynamic changes in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressures and heart rate were significantly higher in group T compared to group P.

Conclusion: We conclude that Propofol causes less hemodynamic changes compared to Thiopental. Therefore, we recommend Propofol especially when dealing with hemodynamically compromised patients.