Effects of diltiazem on cardiovascular responses during thyroidectomy with cervical plexus block

Objective: To observe the effects of the calcium channel blocker diltiazem on the cardiovascular system during operation of thyroidectomy with cervical plexus block.Methods: Forty patients undergoing selected unilateral thyroidectomy were randomly divided into group A(n=20) and group B(n=20).Fifteen minutes after cervical plexus blockade,group B were injected with diltiazem at the dosage of 5 to 8 μg·min^-1·kg^-1.SBP,DBP and HR were recorded before anesthesia,5 minutes,15 minutes,30 minutes,60 minutes after cervical plexus blockade and at the end of surgery(T₆).Results: In both group A and B,SBP,DBP and HR were significantly increased in 5 minutes and 15 minutes after cervical plexus blockade(P<0.01),while those were significantly decreased in 15 minutes after the injection of diltiazem.No adverse reaction was observed.Conclusions: Injection with diltiazem can significantly inhibit the reaction of cardiovascular system during operation of thyroidectomy with cervical plexus block.It can be used safely and worth popularizing.