An inhalation bolus of sevoflurane versus an intravenous bolus of remifentanil for controlling hemodynamic responses to surgical stress during major surgery: a prospective randomized trial.
We studied 120 patients scheduled for elective major thoracic or abdominal surgery, randomized into 2 groups: a Sevoflurane group (n = 63) and a Remifentanil group (n = 57). Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) are indicative of sympathetic response to surgical stress. A positive response was defined as a 15% increase in the HR and MAP above baseline measurements. When a positive response occurred, in the Sevoflurane group we administered a bolus dose of 8% sevoflurane (fresh gas flow 6 L/min) and in the Remifentanil group, an IV bolus dose of remifentanil 1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1), which was maintained until MAP and HR returned to baseline measurements (effective bolus). If, after a bolus dose, a decrease in MAP and/or HR of >15% occurred with respect to baseline values, the response was considered to be excessive. The bolus dose was ineffective in 4.8% of the responses in the Sevoflurane group and in 17.8% of the responses in the Remifentanil group (P < 0.05). In the Sevoflurane group, an excessive effect occurred in 12% of responses, and in 26.7% in the Remifentanil group (P < 0.05). An inhalation bolus of sevoflurane seems to be more effective than an IV remifentanil bolus during maintenance, with more effective control of hemodynamic responses to surgical stress.


CONCLUSIONS
We compared an inhalation bolus of sevoflurane with remifentanil for managing hemodynamic responses to major abdominal or thoracic surgery. This prospective, randomized trial demonstrated better results with sevoflurane.
Matute
Emilio
E
Department of Anesthesiology, Hospital La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. med009569@nacom.es
Alsina
Estíbaliz
E
Roses
Rosario
R
Blanc
Guadalupe
G
Pérez-Hernández
Concepción
C
Gilsanz
Fernando
F
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077208:Remifentanil; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D010880:Piperidines; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D000077208:Remifentanil