Gabapentin reduces cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.
OBJECTIVE
We have compared the effects of gabapentin on arterial pressure and heart rate at induction of anaesthesia and tracheal intubation in a randomized double-blind study.


METHODS
Ninety normotensive patients (ASA I) undergoing elective surgery were divided into three groups of 30 patients each. Patients received oral placebo (Group I), 400 mg of gabapentin (Group II) or 800 mg of gabapentin (Group III) 1 h prior to surgery in the operating theatre. After induction of anaesthesia heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded at baseline 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 min after intubation.


RESULTS
Patients receiving placebo and 400 mg gabapentin showed a significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate associated with tracheal intubation compared to baseline levels and Group III. There was significant decrease in heart rate and arterial pressure in Group III after intubation 1, 3, 5 and 10 min (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively) compared to Groups I and II.


CONCLUSIONS
Given 1 h before operation gabapentin 800 mg blunted the arterial pressure and heart rate increase in first 10 min due to endotracheal intubation. Oral administration of gabapentin 800 mg before induction of anaesthesia is a simple and practical method for attenuating pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation after standard elective induction.
Memiş
D
D
Trakya University, Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Edirne, Turkey. dilmemis@mynet.com
Turan
A
A
Karamanlioğlu
B
B
Seker
S
S
Türe
M
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000758:Anesthesia; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000588:Amines; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin