Background: The advent of laparoscopic surgery has benefited the patient and surgeon; however creation of pneumoperitoneum for same has bearings during the perioperative period. These effects of pneumoperitoneum are associated with significant haemodynamic changes, increasing the morbidity of the patient. Aim:The present study compared the efficacy of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on hemodynamic responses during laparoscopic cholecystectomy Materials and Methods: A total of 90 patients aged 20-60 y, American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, of either sex, planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group D received dexmedetomidine loading dose 1 mcg/kg over a period of 15 min and maintenance 0.5 mcg/kg/h throughout the pneumoperitoneum. Group E received esmolol loading dose 1 mg/kg over a period of 5 min and maintenance 0.5 mg/kg/h throughout the pneumoperitoneum. Group C received same volume of normal saline.Measurements: Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded preoperative, after study drug, after induction, after intubation, after pneumoperitoneum at 15 min intervals, post pneumoperitoneum and postoperative period after 15 min. Propofol induction dose, intraoperative fentanyl requirement and sedation score were also recorded.

Whole-body hyperthermia (WBH) is a well-described investigational adjunct to systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced malignancies. The hemodynamic consequences of this physiologic state may include tachycardia, which can produce acute myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. Ischemic heart disease is currently considered a contraindication to WBH. We chose to investigate the consequences of using a new beta 1-adrenergic antagonist, esmolol, to attempt to control the tachycardia associated with WBH. After institutional approval and patient consent, nine consecutive patients with normal cardiac function presenting for WBH with carboplatin infusion were studied. Along with standard monitors, radial arterial and oximetric thermodilution pulmonary artery catheters were placed. Patients were sedated and heated in a radiant warmer (Enthermics). Spontaneous ventilation was maintained and hemodynamic data were gathered at 37 degrees C, and at 41.8 degrees C (before, during and after esmolol infusion). Heart rate and cardiac output increased (by 46% (p = 0.001) and 35% (p = 0.04) respectively) while mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance fell (by 18% (p = 0.02) and 44% (p = 0.006) respectively) during hyperthermia. Heart rate was significantly reduced during esmolol administration (mean dose 180 micrograms/kg/min) in the absence of changes in cardiac index and calculated oxygen delivery. Ventricular filling pressures and stroke work were unchanged. No heart failure, pulmonary edema, or other adverse event was observed. Hemodynamic changes seen during esmolol administration were completely reversed 15 min after the infusion was stopped. We conclude that the administration of moderate doses of esmolol is safe for this population of patients undergoing WBH, and that this technique raises the question of whether patients with ischemic heart disease could safely undergo WBH.