There is new evidence suggesting that administration of esmolol, a short-acting beta-receptor antagonist, might reduce the actual anesthetic requirement. This was initially shown by studies in which esmolol decreased the amount of anesthetic required to prevent movement after skin incision.2;3 Subsequent studies used bispectral index (BIS) as an endpoint and demonstrated decreased BIS values in subjects receiving esmolol during general anesthesia. 4;5