A comparative study of hemodynamic changes and serum cortisol levels of induction agents: Thiopentone, propofol, etomidate

Abstract

Objective: Haemodynamic changes are inevitable while induction of general anesthesia with anaesthetic drugs. This present study records the haemo­dynamic changes that is caused by three different drugs (thiopental, propofol, and etomidate) used for induction of general anaesthesia. Methods: A Randomized and double-blinded study, 90 patients were assigned to one of the three groups (n=30 each). Propofol- 2 mg kg-1 in Group, Thiopentone- 5 mg kg-1 in Group 2 or Etomidate - 0.3 mg kg-1 in Group 3. Heart rate (HR) Noninvasive measurements of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), was performed on admittance, after giving fentanyl, immediately before the induction of anaesthesia,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10 mins thereafter intubation. Serum cortisol levels were measured at baseline, after intubation, 30 minutes after induction. Results: Following the administration of propofol (Group 1), a greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed when compared with that of etomidate (Group 3) or thiopentone (Group 2).Conclusion: In this study, It can be concluded that etomidate is safer than propofol and thiopental groups in terms of haemodynamic stability.