Comparison of Hemodynamic Stability During Anesthesia Using Remimazolam and Sevoflurane in Minimally Invasive AVR

Comparison of Hemodynamic Stability During Anesthesia Using Remimazolam and Sevoflurane in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery : A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Anesthetic agents can cause hypotension, and be especially dangerous in patients with severe aortic stenosis, which can lead to even circulatory collapse. Remimazolam is known for its hemodynamic stability compared to propofol. This study is designed to compare effects of remimazolam vs. sevoflurane anesthesia on intraoperative hemodynamics in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Anesthetic agents can cause hypotension due to reduced cardiac contractility and vasodilation. This can be especially dangerous in patients with severe aortic stenosis, which can lead to even circulatory collapse in extreme cases. Remimazolam is a relatively new anesthetic agent and it is a ultra-short acting benzodiazepine with a context sensitive half time of 7.5 minutes. Remimazolam is known for its hemodynamic stability compared to propofol. Previous studies have also shown that remimazolam can be safely used in patients with severe aortic stenosis and in cardiac anesthesia induction and during cardiopulmonary bypass. However, there is no definite data on comparison of hemodynamic variables between remimazolam based total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and conventional propofol induction and sevoflurane maintenance anesthesia. Therefore, this study is designed to compare effects of remimazolam vs. sevoflurane anesthesia on intraoperative hemodynamics in patients undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients over 19 years old
• Patients with severe aortic stenosis, undergoing minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with known allergy to benzodiazepine, flumazenil, propofol
• Patients with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, glucose-galactose malabsorption
• Patients with hypersensitivity to Dextran40
• Patients who have been taking benzodiazepine for long term
• Patients with whom heart rate assessment is not accurate, such as atrial fibrillation
• Patients with end stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis
• Patients with history of acute angle glaucoma
• Patients with valve disease severity of grade III or higher, other than aortic valve
• Emergency operation