Hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation using C-Trach assembly and direct laryngoscopy

Purpose: Our objective was to study the pressor response to endotracheal intubation through laryngeal mask airway C-Trach and compare it to the hemodynamic response to intubation with direct laryngoscopy (DL). Materials and Methods: After obtained approval from institutional ethical committee, 100 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical Status I, aged 14-65 years, posted for elective surgery were enrolled in the trial. They were randomly divided into two groups of each 50 patients. Anesthesia technique was standardized and patients of Group I were intubated using DL, while patients of Group II were intubated with the help of C-Trach assembly. Hemodynamic parameters, systemic blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and heart rate were recorded before and after induction of anesthesia and every minute up to 5 min after intubation. Results: Patients of Group II recorded a minimal rise in peak systolic blood pressure (SBP) (1.8%) and diastolic blood pressure (10.6%). In comparison patients of Group I recorded a significant sustained rise in peak SBP (20.3%) and diastolic blood pressure (21.4%). However heart rate changes recorded in the two groups were of equal measure (peak rise of 22.9% in Group I vs. 22.4% in Group II). Conclusion: We conclude that intubation through C-Trach generates a lower pressor response to intubation in comparison to intubation using DL.