Etomidate vs Propofol-Induction Characteristics

The ideal induction agent for day care surgery should have properties of rapid, smooth induction, better haemodynamic profile, faster recovery and devoid of side effects in the form of pain on injection, involuntary movements, respiratory depression and post-operative nausea/vomiting. Propofol is the drug being used for day care surgeries because of its rapid, smooth induction and faster recovery. But its use is associated with pain on injection (even with added lidocaine), hypotension and respiratory depression. So the need for an agent with better hemodynamic control and lesser side effects was felt. The introduction of etomidate lipuro revolutionised the anaesthesia practice. It possesses many of the properties of an ideal induction agent. This newer formulation of etomidate in lipid emulsion i.e. etomidate lipuro is known to have rapid, smooth induction, haemodynamic stability and lesser side effects than older etomidate with propylene glycol (hypnomidate). Hence, investigators devised a prospective randomized controlled open trial and compared this newer lipid formulation of etomidate with propofol in terms of - induction time, haemodynamic parameters and side effect profile.