BACKGROUND: Pneumoperitoneum for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy induces hemodynamic changes. The present study investigated the effect of preventive nicardipine on the hemodynamics induced by pneumoperitoneum during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS: Forty five patients, scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were selected, and divided into three groups; the control group (C; normal saline infusion), the nicardipine bolus injection group (NB; 20microgram/kg nicardipine infusion, 1 min before skin incision) and the nicardipine continuous infusion group (NI; 2microgram/kg/min continuous infusion, from the time of endotracheal intubation to pneumoperitoneum). The blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance were measured; at preincision, and at 5, 10 and 15 min after insufflation and at 5 min after exsufflation.

RESULTS: Nicardipine injection attenuated increases in the blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance after pneumoperitoneum, and didn't attenuate decrease in the cardiac output.

CONCLUSIONS: A preventive nicardipine injection is effective in attenuating the hemodynamic change after pneumoperitoneum during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially attenuated the systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure increase.