The effect of diltiazem on the cardiovascular response to tracheal intubation

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Abstract
The efficacy of diltiazem in the attenuation of the cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation was studied in patients who received 0.2 or 0.3 mg/kg diltiazem 60 seconds before the start of laryngoscopy. These data were compared with a control group who received saline. Each group consisted of 10 patients who had elective surgery. Patients who received saline showed a significant increase in mean arterial pressure and rate pressure product associated with tracheal intubation. These increases after tracheal intubation were reduced in diltiazem-treated patients compared with those of the control group (p less than 0.05). The data suggest that a bolus injection of diltiazem is a simple, practical and effective method to attenuate the hypertensive response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.