The use of esmolol to attenuate the haemodynamic response when extubating patients following cardiac surgery -- a double-blind controlled study

Abstract

We have assessed the cardiovascular changes associated with emergence from anaesthesia, reversal of neuromuscular blockade and extubation in a group of 14 patients immediately after coronary artery bypass graft surgery had been completed. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either esmolol 500μg. kg⁻¹ over 1 min followed by 100 μg . kg⁻¹. min⁻¹ or placebo starting prior to reversal. Significant hypertension and tachycardia occurred in the placebo group, whilst these changes were prevented by the administration of esmolol.