[The effect of fentanyl as an adjuvant to etomidate and thiopental on the hemodynamic response to the induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation].

The hemodynamic modifications during anesthesia induction with etomidat or thiopentalum, with and without pretreatment with fentanyl, were studied in 60 ASA I-II patients. The patients were randomly divided into six subgroups, as a function of the induction agent (etomidat, 0.15 mg/kg, or thiopentalum, 3 mg/kg) and of the pretreatment used (fentanyl, 5 micrograms/kg, or 0.9% 1 ml/kg saline solution). Systolic, diastolic ATs and pulse were followed and measured during induction and after tracheal intubation. During induction the presence or absence of the thoracic rigidity, after fentanyl administration, and also the appearance of myoclonias and of local pain after etomidat injection were noted. Measurement of hemodynamic constants showed, in the control subgroups unprotected by fentanyl, that AT and pulse frequency increase following laryngoscopy and intubation irrespective of the induction agent used. Association of thiopentalum with fentanyl influenced partially tachycardia and postintubation hypertension. Administration of 5 micrograms/kg fentanyl prevented the SAT and pulse modifications but not the DAT variation. Association of 10 micrograms/kg fentanyl ensured a complete protective effect versus the tracheal intubation but, it led, first, to a SAT decrease by intensification of the myocardial depressing effect of the barbiturate. On the other hand, use of fentanyl as induction adjuvant with etomidat ensured the blockage of the pressure response to intubation, with hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction, irrespective of the dose of fentanyl injected. Thoracic rigidity and the side effects generated by etomidate were absent.