A Comparison of the Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol in Controlling the Hemodynamic Responses after...

This study aimed to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol in controlling the hemodynamic response following intubation of patients' candidate intubation in the emergency department.

A total of 114 patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups to receive one of the following treatments: dexmedetomidine 0.4 µg/kg (Group D, n = 57) and propofol 1-1.5 mg/kg/h (Group P, n = 57). Hemodynamic data such as the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate (HR) were recorded from the entrance to operation room to 5, 10 and 15 min after tracheal intubation.

Compared with group D, group P exhibited increases in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and systolic blood pressure significantly at all times and immediately after the endotracheal intubation. Moreover, the mean diastolic blood pressure changes due to tracheal intubation in group P were significantly more than group D immediately after the intubation. Furthermore, the mean heart rate changes immediately and 5 min after tracheal intubation was significantly higher in group P.

Our data suggest that the benefits of dexmedetomidine more than propofol in hemodynamic stability because propofol was associated with more variability in systolic/diastolic blood pressure, HR and MAP after endotracheal intubation.