LAUSR

e aim of this study was to compare the intubating conditions and haemodynamic response for rapid sequence intubation (RSI) of the induction agents, etomidate and thiopentone sodium, with a rapid acting neuromuscular blocking agent rocuronium in 100 ASA grade I-II patients of age 20-40 yrs, undergoing lower segment caesarean section. All the patients were divided in a randomized double blind fashion into two groups of 50 patients each. Group I patients received Etomidate(0.3 mg/kg) with Rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg and intubated at 90 seconds, group II patients received iopentone sodium(5-7 mg/kg) with rocuronium bromide 0.9 mg/kg and intubated at 90 seconds respectively. We observed intubating conditions in group I & group II, excellent intubating conditions were rated in 82% & 96% and good in 18% and 4%, respectively. e difference in intubating conditions of patients in both the groups was statistically significant (p value <0.05). Clinically acceptable intubation conditions (excellent & good) were observed in 100 % patients in both the groups, hence the difference being statistically non significant. ere was no significant change in pulse rate and mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure from the baseline value after the administration of muscle relaxants in either of the two groups. We conclude that both the induction agents; Etomidate & iopentone sodium in combination with Rocuronium were comparable in terms of intubating conditions & haemodynamic response. us it could be concluded that either of them could be used for rapid sequence intubation in pregnant patients undergoing lower segment Caeserean section (LSCS).