Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
[Effect of remifentanil on intraoperative ECoG--a comparison with sevoflurane]
Kiyotaka Sato1, Masaki Iwasaki, Masato Kato
1Department of Neuroanesthesia, Kohnan Hospital, Sendai 982-8523.
Background:
In surgeries for epilepsy, electrocorticography (ECoG) enables tailored resection of the epileptogenic brain and pharmacological stimulation should be employed in surgeries under general anesthesia. To identify the efficacy of continuous remifentanil in surgeries for epilepsy, ECoG findings with remifentanil and those with sevoflurane were compared.
Methods:
Sixteen patients with intractable epilepsy were included with institutional ethics committee approval and informed consent. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane, remifentanil and rocuronium. After dural opening, ECoG recordings were obtained before stimulation, with sevoflurane-stimulation (ET-sevoflurane 2.5%) and with remifentanil-stimulation (0.7 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 2 min followed by 0.35 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)).
Results:
In 11 of the 16 cases, activation was confirmed with remifentanil and numbers of spikes with remifentanil- and sevoflurane-stimulation were larger than those before stimulation.
Conclusions:
There have been some reports on bolus remifentanil on ECoG but not on its continuous infusion. This is the first report of the effect of remifentanil on ECoG as compared to sevoflurane. In this study, continuous infusion of remifentanil showed a stimulating effect on ECoG with the same potency as sevoflurane. Remifentanil may be used as an alternative to sevoflurane.
Related Concept Videos
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Stages of General Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia
One of the advantages of...
