RESUMO
PURPOSE: To compare the hemodynamic effects of sevoflurane when used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia with a total intravenous technique in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were randomly allocated to receive either sevoflurane (S group, n = 15) at a minimal concentration of 4% in oxygen for induction and at 0.5-2 MAC end-tidal concentration for maintenance, or a total intravenous technique (T group, n = 15) consisting of midazolam for induction and propofol for maintenance. In both groups, anesthesia was supplemented with sufentanil and muscle relaxation with cis-atracurium. Hemodynamic measurements included systemic and pulmonary pressures, heart rate, mixed venous oxygen saturation and cardiac output at the following times: pre-induction, 7 and 25 min post-induction, chest closure, one hour after surgery and pre and post tracheal extubation. RESULTS: More patients in the S group (8/15) presented bradycardia in the induction period (T:2/15) (P = 0.05). During maintenance of anesthesia, treatment of hypertension was more frequent in the T group (12/15) than in the S group (6/15) (P = 0.025). All other parameters were comparable. CONCLUSION: Induction of anesthesia in patients with CAD, VCRII with sevoflurane supplemented by sufentanil provided hemodynamic responses comparable with those of TIVA although bradycardia was observed more often with sevoflurane. Intraoperative control of systemic blood pressure was achieved with fewer interventions with a sevoflurane/sufentanil maintenance than with a propofol/sufentanil technique in CABG surgery.