Wake-up times following sedation with sevoflurane versus propofol after cardiac surgery.

Objectives: Intravenous sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) may contribute to altered consciousness and prolonged mechanical ventilation. We tested the hypothesis that replacing intravenous propofol with inhaled sevoflurane for sedation after cardiac surgery would lead to shorter wake-up times, quicker patient cooperation, and less delusional memories.

Design: Following coronary artery bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, 100 patients were randomized to sedation with sevoflurane via the anesthetic conserving device or propofol. Study drugs were administered for a minimum of 2 hours until criteria for extubation were met. Primary endpoints were time from drug stop to extubation and to adequate verbal response. Secondary endpoints were adverse recovery events, memories reported in the ICU Memory Tool test, and ICU/hospital stay.

Results: Median time from drug stop to extubation (interquartile range/total range) was shorter after sevoflurane compared to propofol sedation; 10 (10/100) minutes versus 25 (21/240) minutes (p <0.001). Time from extubation to adequate verbal response was shorter (p =0.036). No differences were found in secondary endpoints.

Conclusions: Sevoflurane sedation after cardiac surgery leads to shorter wake-up times and quicker cooperation compared to propofol. No differences were seen in ICU-stay, adverse memories or recovery events in our short-term sedation.