comparison of the effect of diazepam and etomidate on hemodynamic responses to anesthesia induction and endotracheal intubation

Induction of anesthesia, laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation can be associated with adverse hemodynamic responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation after diazepam versus etomidate induction. One hundred and eighty ASA class I and II patients,aged 20-65 years,were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial (RCT),divided into diazepam and etomidate groups for induction of general anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with either etomidate 0.3 mg/kg or diazepam 0.3 mg/kg. Hemodynamic informations of patients (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate) were assessed in four stages (before induction of general anesthesia, after endotracheal intubation, 5 and 10 minutes after endotracheal intubation). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate indices had no significant difference between diazepam and etomidate groups. Diazepam when compared with etomidate for induction of anesthesia, laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation, does not significantly modify the hemodynamic response therefore we recommend diazepam induction in necessary cases because of less costs and easy accessibility.