Comparative effect of propofol and sevoflurane on chronic postsurgical pain and cognitive function after cardiac surgery in Chinese elderly patients: A preliminary clinical study

摘要

Purpose: To compare the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on chronic post-surgical pain and cognitive function after cardiac surgery in Chinese elderly patients. Methods: A total of 200 Chinese patients (aged 65 years) with confirmed diagnosis of severe chronic artery disease who underwent cardiac surgery were given either propofol or sevoflurane. The following efficacy variables were assessed in both treatment groups: pain using an 11-point NRS after surgery; cognitive function, using Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), Clinician Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale; as well as psychological well-being and disability, using K10 Psychological Distress Scale K-10 and WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) scale. Incidence of complications and duration of hospital stay were also compared. Results: Pain severity score was significantly lower in patients treated with propofol than in those who received sevoflurane (6.1 vs 8.4; p 0.05). Similarly, there were no meaningful differences in disability score between the two treatment groups (p 0.05). The severity of signs and symptoms of dementia were similar at baseline visit (p 0.05). Propofol-treated patients had numerically greater relief in signs and symptoms of dementia/cognitive impairment, when compared to the Sevoflurane-treated patients (p 0.05). However, incidence of complications (including adverse events) was comparable in both groups (p 0.05). Conclusion: Propofol produced significantly greater improvement in post-surgical pain and cognitive functions than sevoflurane after cardiac surgery in Chinese elderly patients.