Sevoflurane anesthesia did not affect postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Purpose The purpose of this study was to retrospectively examine whether sevoflurane anesthesia had any ameliorative effects on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods One hundred and nine patients underwent elective CABG surgery at our institution from May 1999 to May 2001. From May 1999 to August 2000, the main anesthetic regime used included a propofol infusion with no volatile anesthetic being administered during the surgery. From September 2000 to May 2001, the main anesthetic regime used was 1.5%–2.0% sevoflurane from the postinduction period until the end of the surgery. All patients underwent a battery of neurological and neuropsychological tests 1 day before and 6 months after the operation. Results The use of sevoflurane did not have any significant effects on the postoperative levels of cognitive dysfunction. In contrast, multiple logistic analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR), 1.3; P = 0.047], diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.5; P = 0.03), and atherosclerosis of the ascending aorta (OR, 1.4; P = 0.047) appeared to be predictive factors of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion This retrospective study showed no relationship between postoperative cognitive dysfunction and the use of sevoflurane.