Anesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity is similar during remifentanil/N2O and fentanyl/N2O anesthesia.
Remifentanil, a rapidly metabolized mu-opioid agonist, may offer advantages for neurosurgical procedures in which prolonged anesthetic effects can delay assessment of the patient. This study compared the effects of remifentanilnitrous oxide on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and carbon dioxide reactivity with those of fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia during craniotomy. ⋯ Remifentanil and fentanyl have similar effects on absolute CBF, and cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity is maintained.