Author:
Ariza Fredy,Cruz Gustavo,Castaño Darío,Quintero Iván,Suarez Laura,Burbano Mauricio,Burbano Einar Burbano
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the impact of three different effect-site concentrations of remifentanil [1.0, 2.0 and 2.5 ng.ml-1] on cough, heart rate and systolic blood pressure during extubation after balanced anesthesia with desflurane or sevoflurane. Design: Double-blinded controlled trial. Setting: Operating room. Patients: ASA I-II adults (n=451) who underwent elective procedures. Interventions: Subjects were randomly assigned to maintain remifentanil effect-site concentrations at 1.0, 2.0 and 2.5 ng.ml-1 by a target control infusion system after receiving balanced general anesthesia with remifentanil and sevoflurane vs. desflurane. Measurements: Cough severity (using a four-point intensity scale), heart rate and systolic blood pressure were registered during eye opening, tracheal extubation and 2.5 minutes after. Main Results: Cough was significantly reduced in all groups of remifentanil at 2.0 and 2.5 ng.ml-1 during eye opening, tracheal extubation and 2.5 minutes after, when compared with 1.0 ng.ml-1 [Risk ratio (95% CI) at tracheal extubation 0.35 (0.23-0.53) and 0.33 (0.21-0.52) for desflurane; 0.50 (0.35-0.73) and 0.45 (0.30-0.73) for sevoflurane, respectively. P < 0.001]. There were no significant differences on heart rate or systolic blood pressure values at these time points for any of the studied groups. Conclusion: In adult patients of elective procedures under balanced general anesthesia with sevoflurane or desflurane, maintaining a remifentanil effect-site concentration at 2.0-2.5ng.ml-1 significantly reduce the risk of cough but not hemodynamic responses during tracheal extubation.