Comparison of the Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Lidocaine on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Response

Overview

Endotracheal intubation is considered a definitive therapy and the gold standard for airway management. However, this procedure carries several risks, including sudden increases in blood pressure and heart rate. These spikes in blood pressure and heart rate can be tolerated by healthy individuals, but for patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk factors, they can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening. Various techniques and drug choices can be employed to prevent the hemodynamic surges associated with endotracheal intubation, including the use of anesthetic drugs from the α2-adrenergic agonist and amide classes. One of the α2-adrenergic agonists commonly used to prevent hemodynamic surges during endotracheal intubation is dexmedetomidine, while one of the amide drugs frequently used for this purpose is lidocaine.

Dexmedetomidine works very selectively on noradrenergic receptors distributed both within and outside the central nervous system, particularly in the pons and medulla. Presynaptic stimulation of α2 receptors can reduce the release of norepinephrine and the activation of postsynaptic α2 receptors. Lidocaine works by inhibiting sodium channels within cells, preventing the occurrence of action potentials and the transmission of impulses along nerves. Lidocaine also acts by blocking calcium and potassium channels as well as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

Conditions