Effect of dezocine on the median effective dose of sufentanil for blunting hemodynamic responses to endotracheal intubation during anesthesia induction.

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, dezocine has been used to inhibit sufentanil-induced cough (SIC). The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dezocine on the required dose of sufentanil for blunting hemodynamic responses during anesthesia induction and endotracheal intubation in male and female patients.

METHODS

Adult patients of both sexes with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II (ASA I-II) undergoing general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation were enrolled. Peri-intubation hemodynamic variables including blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. The Dixon up‑and‑down method was used to calculate the median effective dose (ED50) of sufentanil for attenuating intubation-related hemodynamic reactions. A dose-response curve was generated by the probit analysis in each group.

RESULTS

In females, the ED50 of sufentanil for suppressing intubation responses was 0.23±0.03 µg/kg in the control group and 0.26±0.05 µg/kg in the dezocine group, with no significant between-group difference (P>0.05). In males, the corresponding ED50 values were 0.35±0.03 and 0.43±0.04 µg/kg, respectively (P<0.05). Probit analysis showed that in females, the ED50 [95% confidence interval (CI)] was 0.219 (0.183-0.248) µg/kg in the control group and 0.241 (0.192-0.282) µg/kg in the dezocine group. In males, the ED50 (95% CI) was 0.339 (0.291-0.374) µg/kg and 0.409 (0.357-0.472) µg/kg, respectively. Probit analysis showed that in females, the ED50 (95% CI) was 0.219 (0.183-0.248) µg/kg in the control group and 0.241 (0.192-0.282) µg/kg in the dezocine group. In males, the ED50 (95% CI) was 0.339 (0.291-0.374) µg/kg and 0.409 (0.357-0.472) µg/kg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Dezocine increases the sufentanil dose requirement for blunting intubation-related hemodynamic responses in male patients, while no obvious influence is observed in female patients.