The effect of dopamine pre-treatment on intubating conditions and haemodynamics during rapid tracheal intubation using propofol and rocuronium

Aims and Objectives: To assess intubating conditions and haemodynamic changes in patients pre- treated with dopamine during rapid tracheal intubation using rocuronium and propofol. Methodology: Forty adult patients of ASA I and II, aged 20- 60 years, scheduled for elective as well as emergency surgery, were included in this prospective randomized open label group double blind study. In Group A patients injection dopamine infusion 3 mu g/Kg/min and in Group B patients an equal volume of normal saline was infused over 15 minutes before administering general anesthesia using propofol 2 mg/Kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/Kg. Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation was attempted at 60 seconds, whereby anaesthesiologist assessed the intubating conditions. Duration of laryngoscopy, Train of four ratio (TOF ratio) at 60 sec after rocuronium administration, time from disappearance of all four twitches on TOF count, intubation score at 60 seconds were recorded. Mean arterial pressure, pulse rate and oxygen saturation were recorded at different time points. Results: Intubating conditions at 60 seconds were significantly better in Group A than in Group B patients. Haemodynamic parameters were not significantly altered in Group A. Time taken for intubation was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. Conclusion: Dopamine pretreatment improves intubating conditions after rocuronium injection without significantly altering haemodynamic parameters.