Abstract

Background: Cardiac surgical patients are prone to develop hemodynamic instability on induction of anaesthesia. Stress response to laryngoscopy & endotracheal intubation is common in surgical patients. One of the most recently introduced laryngoscope device is Airtraq® optical laryngoscope which is a single use rigid video laryngoscope that has been developed to facilitate endotracheal intubation and provide direct view of glottis without alignment of mouth, pharynx and trachea. Methods: The study was conducted at Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore. It is a randomised prospective study with 60 patients meeting inclusion criteria in all patients following parameters systolic, diastolic and mean systemic blood pressure, heart rate, percentage change in rate pressure product (RPP) and ST-T changes were noted. Results: This study shows that Airtraq® is an excellent laryngoscope in maintaining hemodynamic stability in CABG patient as compared to Macintosh laryngoscope. Airtraq® takes shorter time to intubate and also requires fewer external maneuvers during laryngoscopy without causing any ST-T changes or desaturations. Conclusion: Airtraq® is a safe and efficient laryngoscope for use in patients undergoing CABG surgery compared to Macintosh laryngoscope.

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