Effects of intratracheal lidocaine on circulatory reponses to tracheal intubation

Abstract

Hypertension and tachycardia following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation during various forms of light general anesthesia are well documented. Methods to avoid these potentially harmful responses while preserving the advantages of minimal anesthetic depth in critically ill patients have been sought. Intratracheal administration of lidocaine, 4%, is frequently used in clinical practice; however, there has been no objective evaluation of its effectiveness in blocking the circulatory responses to intubation. This study in cardiac patients anesthetized with morphine and nitrous oxide indicates that a hypertensive response in patients anesthetized with morphine and nitrous oxide can be significantly decreased by a simple intratracheal spray with lidocaine, 4%.