Dose-Response Interaction of Metoprolol and Sufentanil for Attenuating Hemodynamic Responses in Tracheal Intubation

May 18, 2026 updated by: Yanhua Guo, Fujian Provincial Hospital

Dose-Response Interaction of Metoprolol and Sufentanil for Attenuating Hemodynamic Responses in Tracheal Intubation: Prospective Randomized Double-blind Study

This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study will evaluate the effects of different dose combinations of intravenous metoprolol and sufentanil on cardiovascular responses during oral endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia.

Endotracheal intubation may cause transient increases in heart rate and blood pressure due to sympathetic stimulation. This study aims to determine whether metoprolol, in combination with different doses of sufentanil, can improve hemodynamic stability during and after intubation.

A total of 900 adult patients aged 18 to 65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II who are scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation will be enrolled. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of 30 groups according to the combination of metoprolol dose and sufentanil dose. Metoprolol doses include 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mg/kg, and sufentanil doses include 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 mcg/kg.

All participants will receive standardized anesthetic induction and maintenance. Hemodynamic changes will be observed for 10 minutes after intubation. The main outcome is the success rate of hemodynamic stability within 0 to 10 minutes after intubation. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, and tachycardia.

Study Overview

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

900

Phase

  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

    • Fujian
      • Fuzhou, Fujian, China, 350000
        • Fujian Provincial Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 18 to 65 years.
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II.
  • Scheduled for elective non-cardiac surgery.
  • Planned general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, such as uncontrolled hypertension or bronchial asthma.
  • Current use of β-blockers.
  • History of chronic drug use or alcohol abuse.
  • Hepatic or renal impairment.
  • Known allergy to any study drug.
  • Anticipated difficult airway.
  • Any other condition that may affect the conduct of the study.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Metoprolol 0 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction as placebo in a volume matched to the metoprolol intervention. The study drug will be delivered through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and participants assigned to the placebo arm will receive a volume corresponding to the randomized dosing schedule used in the metoprolol groups.
Active Comparator: Metoprolol 0 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction as placebo in a volume matched to the metoprolol intervention. The study drug will be delivered through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and participants assigned to the placebo arm will receive a volume corresponding to the randomized dosing schedule used in the metoprolol groups.
Active Comparator: Metoprolol 0 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction as placebo in a volume matched to the metoprolol intervention. The study drug will be delivered through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and participants assigned to the placebo arm will receive a volume corresponding to the randomized dosing schedule used in the metoprolol groups.
Active Comparator: Metoprolol 0 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction as placebo in a volume matched to the metoprolol intervention. The study drug will be delivered through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and participants assigned to the placebo arm will receive a volume corresponding to the randomized dosing schedule used in the metoprolol groups.
Active Comparator: Metoprolol 0 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction as placebo in a volume matched to the metoprolol intervention. The study drug will be delivered through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and participants assigned to the placebo arm will receive a volume corresponding to the randomized dosing schedule used in the metoprolol groups.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.1 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.1 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.1 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.1 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.1 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.2 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.3 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.3 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.3 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.3 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.3 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.4 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.4 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.4 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.4 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.4 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.5 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.1 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.5 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.2 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.5 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.3 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.5 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.4 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Experimental: Metoprolol 0.5 mg/kg + Sufentanil 0.5 mcg/kg
Sufentanil will be administered intravenously during anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mcg/kg. Each participant will receive sufentanil in combination with the assigned metoprolol dose according to the randomized treatment arm.
Metoprolol will be administered intravenously before anesthetic induction at the assigned dose of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, or 0.5 mg/kg. The study drug will be given through a dedicated intravenous catheter, and each participant will receive the dose according to the randomized treatment arm.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Percentage of participants achieving hemodynamic stability after tracheal intubation
Time Frame: within 0-10 min after intubation
within 0-10 min after intubation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
incidence of bradycardia
Time Frame: within 0-10 min after intubation
within 0-10 min after intubation
incidence of tachycardia
Time Frame: within 0-10 min after intubation
within 0-10 min after intubation
incidence of hypotension
Time Frame: within 0-10 min after intubation
within 0-10 min after intubation
incidence of hypertension
Time Frame: within 0-10 min after intubation
within 0-10 min after intubation

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
adverse event
Time Frame: up to 24 hours postoperatively
up to 24 hours postoperatively

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Yanhua Guo, Fujian Provincial Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

June 22, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 22, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 22, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 13, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 13, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 19, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 20, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 18, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on General Anesthesia; Tracheal Intubation

Clinical Trials on Sufentanil

Subscribe