Comparison between single-dose suxamethonium and rocuronium after pretreatment with dexmedetomidine in rapid sequence induction

Background
Rapid sequence induction is a well-established anesthetic procedure used in patients with a high risk of gastric aspiration. Suxamethonium has been the drug of choice; however, it carries potential risks and sometimes fatal outcomes. The aim of our study was to compare rocuronium after pretreatment with dexmedetomidine, to suxamethonium in providing excellent intubating conditions in rapid sequence induction in adults. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, of 120 each. Control group (SS), patients received pretreatment with 10 ml 0.9% saline over 10 min and suxamethonium 1mg/kg. Experimental group (DR), received pretreatment with dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg in 10 ml 0.9% saline over 10 min and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. Our primary endpoint was the number of patients who scored “excellent” on intubation conditions score, while secondary outcomes were hemodynamics and adverse events.
Results
The rate of excellent intubating conditions in the DR group 46% was insignificantly less ( value = 0.548) than that of the SS group 49% (relative risk (RR) of DR compared to SS = 1.04, with a confidence interval (CI) of 0.91–1.48. The percentage of patients with adverse events in the SS group was (30%) nearly more than twofold higher than that of the DR group (11%). A significant difference ( value = 0.016) in the incidence of excellent intubating conditions was higher in the female gender 59% compared to the male gender 38% (adjusted RR = 0.98, with a confidence interval of 0.79–1.1).
Conclusion
A combination of dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg and standard intubating dose of rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg provided comparable endotracheal intubation conditions to suxamethonium 1 mg/kg during RSI and might be used as an alternative to suxamethonium in situations where suxamethonium is contraindicated.
Trial registration
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