Nicardipine vs Esmolol Craniotomy Emergence

Summary

Emergence hypertension is a common occurrence in patients emerging from general anesthesia. This elevation of arterial pressure is particularly concerning in patients undergoing craniotomy due to increased risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with altered intracranial elastance. Thus, identifying better methods to attenuate the hemodynamic changes associated with emergence from anesthesia can improve patient safety, especially in the neurosurgical patient. Study Hypothesis: Nicardipine is more effective than esmolol as a sole agent in maintaining blood pressure within goal range in the setting of emergence hypertension after craniotomy.

Timeline

Start

2013-09

Primary completion

2014-05

Completion

2014-05

Publications

• Background Bekker A, Didehvar S, Kim S, Golfinos JG, Parker E, Sapson A, Haile M, Kline R, Lee M. Efficacy of clevidipine in controlling perioperative hypertension in neurosurgical patients: initial single-center experience. J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2010 Oct;22(4):330-5. doi: 10.1097/ANA.0b013e3181e3077b.
• Background Aronson S, Dyke CM, Stierer KA, Levy JH, Cheung AT, Lumb PD, Kereiakes DJ, Newman MF. The ECLIPSE trials: comparative studies of clevidipine to nitroglycerin, sodium nitroprusside, and nicardipine for acute hypertension treatment in cardiac surgery patients. Anesth Analg. 2008 Oct;107(4):1110-21. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e31818240db.
• Background Kross RA, Ferri E, Leung D, Pratila M, Broad C, Veronesi M, Melendez JA. A comparative study between a calcium channel blocker (Nicardipine) and a combined alpha-beta-blocker (Labetalol) for the control of emergence hypertension during craniotomy for tumor surgery. Anesth Analg. 2000 Oct;91(4):904-9. doi: 10.1097/00000539-200010000-00024.
• Background Bilotta F, Lam AM, Doronzio A, Cuzzone V, Delfini R, Rosa G. Esmolol blunts postoperative hemodynamic changes after propofol-remifentanil total intravenous fast-track neuroanesthesia for intracranial surgery. J Clin Anesth. 2008 Sep;20(6):426-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2008.04.006.
• Background Kovac AL, Masiongale A. Comparison of nicardipine versus esmolol in attenuating the hemodynamic responses to anesthesia emergence and extubation. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2007 Feb;21(1):45-50. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2006.08.005. Epub 2006 Oct 24.

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Indications