Esmolol: A Unique Beta-Blocker in Maintaining Cardiovascular Stability Following Neurosurgical Procedures

• Main Authors: Samad EJ Golzari, Kamyar Ghabili, Mehdi Ghaffarlou, Mahmood Eydi, Hamzeh Hosseinzadeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 2012-08-01
• Series: Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin
• Subjects: Esmolol; Neurosurgery; Cardiovascular Stability
• Online Access: http://journals.tbzmed.ac.ir/PDF/APB/Manuscript/APB-2-249.pdf
• ISSN: 2228-5881; 2251-7308

Purpose: Patients with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) are prone to severe cardiac and or cerebral complications following emergence from general anesthesia and especially post-extubation phase. Administering beta blockers including esmolol is believed to be helpful in providing a stable hemodynamic at the end of the surgery and recovery stages and reducing recovery phase length. Methods: In a double-blind prospective randomized clinical trial, 60 adult patients with ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologist) class of I-II scheduled to undergo elective neurosurgery operations were randomly divided into two groups receiving esmolol (n=30) and placebo (n=30) as IV infusion within four minutes prior to extubation continued by an IV infusion for 10 minutes after extubation. Results: There was a significant difference between two groups regarding the changes of systolic blood pressure and heart rate at all studied stages after extubation (P≤0.05). However, no significant difference existed between esmolol and control groups regarding recovery and extubation times emphasizing the fact that esmolol is of excellent early recovery and extubation profiles. Conclusion: Esmolol is advised to be used in preventing hyperdynamic status throughout extubation phase without extending recovery phase length.