Remifentanil vs propofol continuous infusion for awake nasal intubation of difficult airways

Objective To compare the safety and availability of remifentanil and propofol for awake intubation of difficult air ways. Methods We recruited 24 ASA I-II patients, who were undergoing awake intubation after superficial anaesthesia . Patients were randomized to one of the two groups, Group Ⅰ (n=12) received remifentanil continous infusion 0.075 μg/(kg·min) after a bonus injection of 0.75 μg/kg, and Group Ⅱ (n=12) received propofol 6μg/(kg·min) after bonus injection of 0.5 mg/kg. Primary outcome measures were conditions(HR, SBP,DBP, SpO2) achieved at pre-intubation, intubation through choana, during intubation and post-intubation. Results All the patients completed awake intubation . Haemodynamic change in group I were significantly fewer than in group II. Conclusion After superficial anaesthesia, awake intubation is better achieved by continous injection of remifentanil than propofol; haemodynamic changes are fewer .