ASSESSMENT OF INTUBATING CONDITIONS IN ADULTS AFTER INDUCTION WITH PROPOFOL AND VARYING DOSES OF REMIFENTANIL

We have assessed intubating conditions in three groups of 60 ASA I or II patients after induction of anaesthesia with propofol 2 mg kg(-1) a nd remifentanil 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mu g kg(-1). Tracheal intubation was g raded according to ease of laryngoscopy, position of the vocal cords, coughing, jaw relaxation and movement of the limbs. Intubation was suc cessful in 80%, 90% and 100% of patients after remifentanil 0.5, 1.0 o r 2.0 mu g kg(-1), respectively. Overall intubating conditions were re garded as acceptable in 20%, 50% and 80% of patients, respectively. Al l three groups had a decrease in arterial pressure after induction but there was no difference between groups. The decrease in arterial pres sure was not regarded as clinically significant. Intubating conditions were best after induction with remifentanil 2 mu g kg(-1) and propofo l 2 mg kg(-1).