Alfentanil and the Elimination of Sympathetic Responses to Tracheal Intubation During Rapid Sequence Induction of Anesthesia: A Probability-based Approach

Introduction:

Autonomic responses (blood pressure and heart rate increases) secondary to tracheal intubation are probably not harmful to healthy individuals(1). However, in certain groups of patients (cardiac/neurosurgical/ophthalmic surgery), strict control of these responses during anesthesia may add to the safety of patient care (2-6).

Traditionally, rapid sequence induction (RSI) of anesthesia is performed with combined administration of pentothal and suxamethonium. Significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate will be observed in most patients when this drug regimen is used(7-9). Opioid drugs may obtund autonomic responses to tracheal stimulation(10), but at present there is no consensus regarding the use of opioids as an integral part of the RSI of anesthesia.

AIMS \& OBJECTIVES:

• Define guidelines for proper care of cardiac/neurosurgical/eye surgery patients during induction of anesthesia when rapid airway control is needed.
• Determine the dose of alfentanil needed to prevent blood pressure and heart rate increases > 10% secondary to tracheal intubation performed in a rapid-sequence fashion (intubation completed within 70 s after start of drug administration: alfentanil-pentothal 4 mg/kg-rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg).
• Determine the optimal dose of alfentanil to obtain perfect conditions for tracheal intubation in healthy surgical patients when laryngoscopy is initiated within 55 s after start of drug administration (alfentanil-pentothal 4 mg/kg-rocuronium 0,6 mg/kg).

Induction of anesthesia:

After 3 min pre-oxygenation with 100% oxygen, a blinded dose of alfentanil (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 mcg/kg), followed by thiopental 4 mg/kg and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg will be administered over 15 s. Cricoid pressure will be applied when the patient is unconscious.

Laryngoscopy and intubation:

Laryngoscopy will be performed 40 s after injection of rocuronium, with the goal being to have the endotracheal tube passed through the patients vocal cords and the cuff inflated within the following 15 s. The investigator performing the tracheal intubation will be blinded to the dose of alfentanil administered.

Maintenance of anesthesia:

The study ends 5 min post intubation. At this time sevoflurane and fentanyl will be administered according to the patient's needs. Ventilation will be adjusted to pCO2-values in the range 4.5-6 kPa, and body temperature maintained at > 36 degree ºC with a forced-air warmer.

Monitoring:

Routine monitoring of blood pressure, ECG, and pulse oximetry, according to standard of anaesthesia, approved by the Society of the Norwegian Anaesthesiologists. An arterial line will be inserted in one of the radial arteries for accurate beat-to-beat recording of blood pressure and heart rate, and for collection of blood samples.

Statistical analysis plan:

In the present study a nonlinear logistic regression analysis will be used to determine the optimal dose of alfentanil based on the success rates of optimal blood pressure control (blood pressure increase < 10%)and the success rates of perfect intubation conditions in all alfentanil dose groups.