Nifedipine versus fentanyl to prevent the pressor response to tracheal intubation

Thirty six patients ASA 1 or 2, undergoing surgery that required tracheal intubation, were allocated randomly into three groups of twelve each. Before induction of anesthesia, they received either saline, 10 mg, nifedipine sublingual, or fentanyl 1.5 micrograms.kg-1 IV. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean blood pressure (MAP), were recorded automatically every minute for 5 minutes before induction of anesthesia, and for 5 minutes after intubation. Nifedipine was better than fentanyl in blocking the pressor response. The fentanyl dose was too small to abolish this response completely. The increase in HR and blood pressure were most evident in the control group, followed by fentanyl, and the least increase was seen with nifedipine.