Effect of isoflurane versus propofol-remifentanil anesthesia on neuromuscular blockade and hemodynamic responses by cisatracurium bolus injection

BACKGROUND Inhalational anesthetics potentiate nondepolarizing muscle relaxants. Cisatracurium is a recently introduced neuromuscular blocker in Korea. We studied the effect of inhalational anesthesia and total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) on neuromuscular blockades and hemodynamic responses by cisatracurium bolus injection. METHODS Forty patients undergoing elective surgery were randomly divided into isoflurane and propofol-remifentanil groups. A bolus dose of cisatracurium of 0.15 mg/kg (3 × ED(95)) was administered after induction and the onset time and clinical duration of action were recorded. The nueromuscular blockade was monitored using train-of-four (TOF) stimulation. Hemodynamic parameters were also recorded. RESULTS Onset time was 194.0 ± 39.1 sec in the isoflurane group and 226.5 ± 62.2 sec in the propofol-remifentanil group. Clinical duration of action was 49.2 ± 9.0 min in the isoflurane group and 43.0 ± 9.2 min in the propofol-remifentanil group. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) immediately before intubation decreased in the propofol-remifentanil group. Heart rate (HR), SBP and DBP 1 and 3 min after tracheal intubation increased in the isoflurane group. CONCLUSIONS Onset time was similar between isoflurane and propofol-remifentanil anesthesia. Clinical duration of action was significantly longer in isoflurane anesthesia. SBP and DBP immediately before intubation and HR, SBP and DBP 1 and 3 min after tracheal intubation were significantly different between the two groups.