Effect of Magnesium Sulfate Nebulization on Stress Response Induced Tracheal Intubation; Prospective, Randomized Study ()
1. Introduction
The STRESS response to endotracheal intubation is a common event that we find it daily in all cases in operating room, due to the release of endogenous catecholamine’s [1]. This inappropriate response may affect the outcome of cases that operated under general anesthesia with ETT intubation, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease like uncontrolled hypertension and ischemic heart diseases [2]. The management of this response is important as it prevents adverse events, like tachycardia, systemic hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and arrhythmias [3]. A lot of drugs are the subject of studies, including those with excellent results, such as magnesium sulfate [4].
The mechanism of magnesium sulfate action for attenuating the stress response results from the inhibition of catecholamine releasing from the adrenal medulla, keeping the plasma concentration of epinephrine at a fixed level, and also decreasing the circulating norepinephrine level when compared to that of a control group [5]. It also has a vasodilation effect on systemic and coronary blood vessels by blocking calcium ion in vascular smooth muscle [6].
The aim of this study was to study the effects of nebulized magnesium sulfate on hemodynamics during intubation.
2. Patient and Methods
Following institutional ethical committee approval and written informed consent,a prospective randomized double-blinded study. After written informed consent was given, 100 patients, ASA 1 or 2, aged between 20 - 50 years, scheduled for elective surgery with Orotracheal Intubation (OTI) were assessed for eligibility. Patients will be recruited in the study divided into two equal groups; Patients in Group A: will receive nebulized magnesium sulfate in 3 ml (240 mg) over 15 min, While group B: will receive nebulized normal saline in 3 ml over 15 min, ending 5 min before the induction of anesthesia. SBP, DBP, HR, and blood glucose level will be measured at the following intervals; Baseline (before induction), after premedication (sedation), after induction, after ETT intubation, 3 min later, 6 min later.
Patients that excluded from the study those with history of hypersensitivity to magnesium sufate, coronary ischemic disease, atrioventricular block of any degree, known cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure, renal failure, on beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, expected difficult intubation. Also Patients who had epidural or spinal block before general anesthesia, who required more than two attempts at intubation were excluded. In the other side Patients who met the inclusion criteria were identified and received an identification number, according to the order of inclusion in the study.
After orotracheal intubation, anesthesia was maintained with 2% inhaled sevoflurane, and new measurements were taken three and six minutes after intubation (3 post-OTI and 6 post-OTI). Hypertension was considered when the BP values were 20% above baseline values or SBP > 140 mmHg. Hypotension was considered when BP values were lower than 20% of baseline or SBP < 90 mmHg. Tachycardia was considered when HR was higher than 20% of baseline or HR > 100 bpm. Bradycardia was considered when HR values were lower than 50 bpm.
The primary endpoint was to determine the effects of magnesium sulfate (Group M) on SBP immediately after intubation (post-OTI). The secondary endpoints were the assessment of changes in SBP, DBP, HR, and SBG before and after the administration of study drugs, its changes within six minutes after intubation, as well the identification of adverse events with the use of both techniques Statistical analysis was performed with the XLSTAT software for Excel A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Data were expressed as mean ± SD (mean, standard deviation).
3. Result
The age and weight were comparable in the two groups (Table 1). There was no significant difference in attenuating stress response of OTI at all intervals.
As showing in (Table 2) regarding SBP there was significant effect of mgso4 nebulization (P value < 0.001) on decreasing SBP at the following intervals; post nebulization, post induction, post OTI, 3 min later, 6 min later.
As showing in (Figure 1) regarding SBP there was significant effect of mgso4 nebulization (P value < 0.001) on decreasing SBP at the following intervals; post nebulization, post induction, post OTI, 3 min later, 6 min later.
![]()
Table 1. Demographic data with median and IQR.
![]()
Table 2. SBP changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
As regard DBP changes as showed in (Table 3) there was no significant effect of mg so4 nebulization on DBP AT post induction and post OTI.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of DBP increase at 3 min and 6 min after intubation.
As regard DBP changes as showed in (Figure 2) there was no significant effect of mg so4 nebulization on DBP AT post induction and post OTI.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of DBP increase at 3 min and 6 min after intubation.
As regard HR changes as showed in (Table 4) there was no significant effect of mg so4 nebulization on HR at post induction.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of HR increase at post OTI, 3 min later and 6 min later (after intubation).
![]()
Figure 1. SBP changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
![]()
Table 3. DBP changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
![]()
Figure 2. DBP changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
![]()
Table 4. HR changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
As regard HR changes as showed in (Figure 3) there was no significant effect of mgso4 nebulization on HR at post induction.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of HR increase at post OTI, 3 min later and 6 min later (after intubation).
As regard SBG changes as showed in (Table 5) there was no significant effect of mgso4 nebulization on SBG at post nebulization, post induction and post OTI.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of SBG increase at 3 min later and 6 min later (after intubation).
As regard SBG changes as showed in (Figure 4) there was no significant effect of mgso4 nebulization on SBG at post nebulization, post induction and post OTI.
But there was a significant (P value < 0.001) attenuation of SBG increase at 3 min later and 6 min later (after intubation).
![]()
Table 5. SBG changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
![]()
Figure 3. HR changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
![]()
Figure 4. SBG changes after mgso4 nebulization at different intervals.
4. Discussion
Calcium has a major role in the release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla and adrenergic nerve terminals in response to the stimulation by sympathetic nervous system.
Magnesium competes with calcium for binding to the membrane channels [7]. Hence, magnesium acts as a calcium antagonist and can modify the responses that mediated by calcium. Hence, MgSO4 blocks release of catecholamine stores and decrease responses to adrenergic stimulations [8].
Our study agree with Laurantet al. [9] who showed that IV MgSO4 attenuate the release both catecholamine and vasopressin in mesenteric resistance arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Agree with James M.F. [10] who said that Magnesium sulfate is utilized in stressful conditions with catecholamine excess such as tetanus, pheochromocytoma.
Agree with Nakashima H.et al., [11] who approved that Magnesium sulfate is used in stressful conditions such as ST elevation anterior myocardial infarction.
Also agree with Turlapaty P.D. et al., [12] who approved that MgSO4 also directly reduces smooth muscle tonicity and subsequently vascular contraction
Therefore, MgSO4 is useful to decrease systemic hypertension, as using for treatment of pregnancy induced hypertension.
Borazan H. et al. [13] approved the efficiency of preoperative oral magnesium lozenge and found that the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat (POST) is significantly decreased.
Also Our study agree with Gupta et al. [14] who assessed the local efficiency of preoperative nebulization of magnesium sulfate and found that the incidence and severity of POST (postoperative sore throat) were reduced at rest and on swallowing at all-time points (P< 0.05) post operatively after extubation.
5. Conclusion
Our study showed that magnesium sulfate nebulization has a significant effect to attenuate the stress response to Endotracheal intubation in the form of attenuating increase of Systolic Blood Pressure(SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure(DBP), Heart Rate (HR), and Serum Blood Glucose(SBG) specially in (3min.and 6 min.) later to intubation, Finally, we can say that preoperative nebulized magnesium sulfate has good efficacy and safety for hemodynamic control during laryngoscopy and intubation, presenting as an option to mitigate the stimulation of upper airway in patients undergoing general anesthesia.