Haemodynamic changes after tracheal intubation in cigarette smokers compared with non-smokers

Abstract

We have studied the haemodynamic changes in response to tracheal intubation in 60 ASA I women undergoing elective gynaecological surgery; 30 women smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day, while the other 30 were non-smokers. Immediately after intubation, heart rate of smokers (mean 102.0 (so 17) beat min-1) was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than that of non-smokers (mean 91.0 (12.3) beat min-1). This may be clinically important in smokers who are at risk of ischaemic heart disease and also relevant for future studies investigating haemodynamic responses to intubation.