Objective: To compare hemodynamic parameters in patients receiving 0.5 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine with those receiving 1.0 µg/kg dexmedetomidine before endotracheal (ETT) intubation.

Material and Methods: A total number of 60 patients having age 18-60 years planned for any general surgery procedure under general anesthesia were included. These 60 patients were divided into two equal groups using lottery method. In group I patients; 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine infusion over 10 mins was given. In group II patients; 1.0 µg/kg dexmedetomidine infusion over 10 mins was given. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) were recorded before intubation, after 5 and 10 minutes of intubation.

Results: Mean age was 42.61±10.28 years. There were 37 (61.67%) male patients and only 23 (38.33%) female patients. MAP after minutes of intubation were 85.83±5.80 mmHg in group I versus 82.46±6.46 mmHg in group II (p-value 0.03) and after 5 minutes was 81.96±6.28 mmHg in group I versus 80.63±5.87 mmHg in group II (p-value 0.40). Mean HR after 3 minutes was significantly less in group II, 81.33±6.03 beats/min versus 85.16±6.25 beats/min the group I (p-value 0.01) and after 5 minutes was 79.60±4.59 beats/min in group I versus 82.40±6.96 beats/min in group II (p-value 0.07).

Conclusion: During endotracheal intubation, dexmedetomidine efficiently and dramatically reduces cardiovascular and hemodynamic reactions. To lessen the effects of tracheal intubation, 1.0 µg/kg dexmedetomidine is more effective than 0.5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine.

Keywords: endotracheal intubation, Dexmedetomidine, mean arterial pressure, heart rate.