Intravenous magnesium sulfate as a preanesthetic medication: A double-blind study on its effects on hemodynamic stabilization at the time of tracheal intubation

The effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) as a preanesthetic medication were studied with regard to whether it can sedate or relieve a patient who is scheduled to undergo surgery, and whether it can control the hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation. Twenty adult patients in ASA status 1–2 undergoing elective surgery were studied. Ten patients received 50 mg·g⁻¹ MgSO₄ intravenously by drip infusion from 30 min before the induction of anesthesia, and another ten patients received saline as a control. The changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate pressure product (RPP) after the intubation were significantly suppressed in magnesium-treated patients, but a sedative effect was not observed. Therefore, MgSO₄ was useful as a preanesthetic medication in suppressing the hemodynamic response associated with tracheal intubation.