[Effects of labetalol and nitroglycerin during induction of anesthesia and endotracheal intubation in hypertensive patients].Ma Zui Xue Za Zhi. 1989 Sep; 27(3):247-54.MZ
We have compared the effectiveness of labetalol and nitroglycerin for the control of hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation in hypertensive patients. Twenty four patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to labetalol and nitroglycerin treatment groups, each consisting 12 patients. The labetalol group showed decrease of both systolic and diastolic pressure, minimum raise in heart rate (6.49%) and lowering of RPP (rate pressure product). Nitroglycerin group showed decrease of systolic pressure but diastolic pressure increased 5.76%, heart rate increased 32.27% and RPP increased 19.4%. The result showed that although both drugs blunted the hypertensive response to endotracheal intubation, intravenous labetalol seemed safer and more effective than nitroglycerin to attenuate the hypertensive response to laryngoscopy and intubation in hypertensive patients.