Recovery and cognitive function after fentanyl or remifentanil administration for carotid endarterectomy

To compare recovery and restoration of cognitive function after fentanyl-propofol or remifentanil-propofol anesthesia administration in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Randomized, double-blind, prospective study.

Department of Anesthesiology, University hospital.

Seventy patients with ASA physical statuses II and III (53 men and 17 women) undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy.

Anesthetic technique and drugs were identical in the 2 groups, with the exception of remifentanil and fentanyl administration. Induction of anesthesia was obtained with a bolus dose of propofol (1-2 mg/kg), maintenance was achieved with a propofol infusion according to hemodynamics and nitrous oxide/oxygen (FIO(2), 0.50). Muscle relaxation was achieved with rocuronium. The remifentanil group received 1 microg/kg of remifentanil as a single dose during the induction of anesthesia and 0.5 microg/kg per minute as an infusion throughout the procedure. The fentanyl group received 2 microg/kg of fentanyl as a single dose during the induction of anesthesia.

Intraoperative hemodynamic adverse events were recorded. All patients were also evaluated with regard to their recovery and the restoration of their cognitive function, recording the immediate recovery times and using the Aldrete score 15 and 60 minutes after surgery and the Hasegawa scale 6 hours after surgery. For evaluation of postoperative pain, the Numeric Pain Scale (0-10) was used.

Patients receiving remifentanil had significantly (P < .05) fewer episodes of intraoperative hypertension and needed nitroglycerine administration less frequently (P < .05) than those receiving fentanyl. Immediate recovery was significantly earlier (P < .05) with remifentanil (eye opening, 5.1 +/- 1.3 [remifentanil] and 7.2 +/- 3.7 [fentanyl] minutes; extubation time, 5.4 +/- 1.9 [remifentanil] and 7.8 +/- 4.1 [fentanyl] minutes). The Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores 6 hours after surgery and Aldrete scores 15 and 60 minutes after surgery did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Pain levels were also similar for patients taking remifentanil and fentanyl.

Although intraoperative hemodynamics were better preserved and immediate recovery was more rapid with remifentanil, overall postoperative recovery and restoration of cognitive functions as well as postoperative pain intensity seem to be similar for patients receiving remifentanil and for those receiving fentanyl combined with propofol for carotid endarterectomy operations.