BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare the hemodynamic changes in response to direct laryngoscopy of the McCoy blade and the Macintosh blade. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for elective gynecologic surgery were randomly allocated into two groups. The induction of anesthesia was done with thiopental sodium 5 mg/kg, fentanyl 2 mcg/kg, vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg. When the train of four arrived came at 0/4, the vocal cords were visualized with either the McCoy or the Macintosh laryngoscope blade for 10 seconds. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded at 1 minute intervals for 5 minutes. RESULTS: Laryngoscopy caused significant increases in arterial blood pressure in both groups, while it had no effect on heart rate in either group. There were no significant differences in blood pressure and heart rate responses to laryngoscopy in the blades. CONCLUSIONS: The McCoy and the Macintosh blade show similar changes in heart rate and blood pressure after laryngoscopy.