Abstract:Objective To compare the hemodynamics, consciousness and neonatal effect of etomidate and propofol in cesarean section under general anesthesia. Methods A total of 70 puerpera with elective cesarean section under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 2 groups: propofol group (2 mg/kg) and etomidate group (0.3 mg/kg). The heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SAP), diastolic pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2) at T0 (before anesthesia induction), T1 (1 min after induction), T2 (2 min after induction) and T3 (5 min after induction) were recorded. Results No significant differences in baseline data between the two groups were found. At T2 and T3, the SAP, DAP and MAP of etomidate group were significantly higher than those in propofol group (P < 0.05). The BIS values of the etomidate group were significantly lower than those of the propofol group at the 1st to 8th minute after the induction of anesthesia, the time of skin incision, hysterectomy, the fetus delivery and the trachea extubation (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time, umbilical vein blood gas, neonatal APGAR score, postoperative hemodynamics, analgesic effect and adverse reaction between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, the recovery time was shorter in the etomidate group than in the propofol group (P = 0.036). Conclusions Compared with propofol, etomidate has smaller effects on hemodynamics of cesarean section maternal under general anesthesia and is more suitable and safe for general anesthesia induction for cesarean section.