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Abstract Largyngoscopy and endotracheal intubation often provoke marked cardiovascular disturbances in the form of tachycardia, hypertension and - at times- arrhythmias. Such cardiovascular disturbances, although transient, may be dangerous in some patients, particularly those suffering from hypertension, myocardial disease or cerebrovascular disease. This response is thus undesirable in such patients undergoing surgery, irrespective of the nature of surgery. . . Several pharmacological attempts have been made to control this stress response to laryngoscopy and intubation. They include narcotics, local anaesthetics, alpha and beta-adrenergic blocking drugs and ganglion blocking drugs. Vasodilating agents as sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerine, isosorbide dinitrate, and prostaglandin E, have also been shown to be effective for this purpose. 1 * . . More recently, calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, nicardipine and diltiazem have also been shown to be effective. |