OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitroglycerine (NTG) Sublingual Spray on prevention of haemodynamic responses to tracheal extubation in patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery. METHODS: With approval from the institutional ethical Committee, written consent, 30 patients between 20-60 years of age undergoing elective lumbar disc surgery were randomly placed in either the Group A (n=30) or the Group B Control (n=30).Anaesthesia was induced with 2mg kg-1 propofol, 0.5mg kg-1pentazocin, and 0.1mg kg-1 vecuronium bromide iv, and was maintained with 0.8-1 MAC isoflurane in oxygen-nitrous mixture (40:60). After dressing of the surgical wound, all anaesthetic agents were discontinued and the patients were ventilated with 100% oxygen. Two sublingual NTG sprays (0.8mg) was given to Group A (n=30), after regain of spontaneous respiratory attempts, while no drug given to Group B. Hemodynamic variables were noted before administering study drug, during extubation then at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 min after the extubation. RESULTS: In the sublingual NTG group, mean arterial pressures decreased significantly after sublingual NTG Spray and were significantly lower than in the control group at exubation and 1,3 and 5min after extubation (p<0.05).The heart rate and Rate pressure product (RPP) were comparable in both groups (p>0.050). CONCLUSION: We concluded that 0.8mg (Two sprays) sublingual NTG before extubation can prevent hypertension caused by extubation in patients undergoing elective lumbar disc surgery without much affecting heart rate and RPP . KEYWORDS: Nitroglycerine (NTG), Subligual, Extubation, Lumbar disc surgery.
INTRODUCTION:Recovery from general anesthesia and extubation is a period of intense physiological stress for patients. There are several physiological responses to postoperative stress, including increases in oxygen consumption, catecholamine blood levels, blood pressure and heart rate. In most cases blood pressure and heart rate increases gradually as patient awakens. Tracheal extubation causes additional transient increase by 10-30% in arterial pressure and heart rate lasting 5-15 min. 1 it is more hazardous in patients with hypertension, myocardial insufficiency or cerebral vascular diseases. Patient with coronary artery disease experience a 40-50% decrease in ejection fraction. 2 Therefore, attenuation of haemodynamic responses to tracheal extubation such as hypertension, tachycardia and arrhythmias is important for an anesthesiologist. In order to control haemodynamic changes during tracheal intubation and extubation, local anaesthetics, opioids, beta-blocking agents, and calcium channel blockers have been used with varying success rates. 3-6 all of them require time for preparation and administration.Nitroglycerine generates NO (Nitric oxide) in vascular smooth muscles which produce vasodilatation leading to decrease in blood pressure.