Laryngoscopy and placement of a breathing tube during general anesthesia can cause temporary increases in blood pressure and heart rate. These changes may be harmful in some patients. Nalbuphine is an opioid pain medicine that may reduce these cardiovascular responses.
This study evaluated whether intravenous nalbuphine, given before anesthesia induction, reduces changes in mean arterial blood pressure during laryngoscopy and orotracheal intubation compared with placebo (normal saline).
Adult patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either nalbuphine or placebo before anesthesia. Blood pressure was measured before drug administration, during intubation, and for several minutes afterward. The results of this study may help guide safe medication use to maintain blood pressure stability during airway management.