ACUTE HYPERTENSION DURING INDUCTION OF ANAESTHESIA AND ENDOTRACHEAL INTUBATION IN NORMOTENSIVE MAN

Abstract

In twenty-two normotensive patients anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone, nitrous oxide and oxygen, suxamethonium, and endotracheal intubation. Laryngoscopy and insertion of an endotracheal tube were immediately followed by an average rise in mean arterial pressure of 25 mm Hg (SE 2.2, range 2–45). There was no significant difference in this response between groups premedicated with morphine and with amylobarbitone. There was no evidence that this effect caused lasting damage in normotensive patients. The possible cardiac or cerebral complications which might result in hypertensive patients are discussed.