[Bolus esmolol prior to tracheal intubation of the elderly patient]

Twenty-seven patients 76 +/- 7 years old, ASA I or II, scheduled for short eye surgery, were randomized in two groups so as to study and compare the effects of esmolol--injected after induction of general anaesthesia, 2 or 3 mg.kg-1--or topic laryngeal anaesthesia on the haemodynamic consequences of endotracheal intubation. Induction was performed with fentanyl, thiopental and atracurium. The rate-pressure product was significantly lower (less than 11.000 b.min-1.mmHg-1) in the esmolol group. However 4 patients out of 5 who received the higher dosage of esmolol (3 mg.kg-1) had a marked blood pressure fall requiring ephedrine. A vascular collapse was observed in one of them but Buffington's ratio never fell under the critical value. In all cases small doses of ephedrine were efficient. No serious complications were observed in both groups. This preliminary study lacked a control group without esmolol or laryngeal spray. On the other hand, haemodynamic effects of tracheal intubation could be further studied after bolus esmolol or topic anaesthesia in real ASA III cardiovascular patients.