# Comparison of the Effects of Rocuronium Bromide and Cisatracurium Besylate on Intubating Conditions and Haemodynamic Response

## TL;DR

This study compares two muscle relaxants, rocuronium and cisatracurium, for their effectiveness in tracheal intubation and impact on blood pressure and heart rate.

## Contribution

The study provides a direct comparison of rocuronium's faster onset and favorable hemodynamic effects versus cisatracurium.

## Key findings

- Rocuronium achieved favorable intubating conditions faster than cisatracurium (90 vs. 240 seconds).
- Rocuronium showed a significantly faster onset of action (92 ± 7.61 seconds) compared to cisatracurium (188 ± 40.88 seconds).
- Both drugs maintained comparable hemodynamic stability during intubation.

## Abstract

Background

General anaesthesia (GA) is predominantly important for conducting tracheal intubation; it should be quick and precise, having a prudent performance. It is preferable to use a neuromuscular blocking drug, which ideally should be highly potent, with a rapid onset and a short duration clinical effect in order to prevent the development of hypoxia during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation and also avoid any changes in haemodynamics caused by the release of histamine, ganglion block, and anti-muscarinic actions. The non-depolarizing muscle relaxants rocuronium and cisatracurium don't have any noticeable independent side effects when used within the recommended dosage levels.

Aim

The aim was to compare the clinical efficacy of rocuronium bromide and cisatracurium besylate with respect to their property as muscle relaxants in producing favourable intubating conditions and to assess their haemodynamic stability. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the onset of action and any undesirable effects.

Methods

Between the ages of 20 to 60 years, 60 patients of either gender, divided randomly into groups of 30 each, of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification I and II, were put for elective surgical procedures to be done under general anaesthesia. Patients were given 0.6 mg kg-1 IV of rocuronium in Group R and 0.15 mg kg-1 IV of cisatracurium in Group C. After injecting the muscle relaxants, parameters were measured 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 seconds later.

Result

Demographical variables like age, gender, and ASA physical status of the two groups were analogous. Group R had good to excellent/favourable intubating conditions by 90 seconds, and Group C by 240 seconds with comparable haemodynamic stability. The onset of action was significantly faster in Group R (92 ± 7.61 seconds) than in Group C (188 ± 40.88 seconds).

Conclusion

Rocuronium produced favourable intubating conditions having good haemodynamic stability and a statistically significant (p < 0.00001) faster onset of action in comparison to cisatracurium.