Effects of Remifentanil on Hemodynamic Responses of Exogeneous Epinephrine during Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Lee, Hae Mi; Kim, Sae Yeon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Epinephrine is commonly used to reduce bleeding by constriction of nasal vessels in endoscopic sinus surgery. However, when it absorbs to other organs systemically, tachycardia and hypertension may occur and result in more bleeding. This study is performed to evaluate the dose response effects of remifentanil infusion to suppress these adverse responses without delaying emergence.
METHODS
Sixty healthy patients who scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were randomly allocated into three groups by the dose of remifentanil infusion. For induction and maintenance of anesthesia, 0.05, 0.15, 0.25microgram/kg/min of remifentanil and 3.5microgram/ml of intravenous propofol by TCI were infused to each group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and bispectral index were measured for 15 minutes at the 1 minute intervals after nasal packing of epinephrine.
RESULTS
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure in R0.15 and R0.25 group were significantly lower compared to R0.05 group during 9 to 12 minutes after epinephrine packing, but heart rate and bispectral index were not significantly different among the groups. The frequency of hypotension and bradycardia were significantly higher in R0.25 than R0.05 and R0.15.
CONCLUSIONS
Continuous infusion of 3.5microgram/ml of propofol with 0.15microgram/kg/min of remifentanil attenuate hypertension and tachycardia induced by epinephrine with little side effects.