Background: This study aims to compare the effects of propofol and desflurane on hemodynamic parameters and myocardial protection in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

Methods: Sixty patients who were scheduled for elective CABG surgery between July 2011 and October 2011 were included. The patients were divided into two groups as desflurane group (n=30) and propofol group (n=30). After anesthesia induction, desflurane was given at minimum 0.5 to 2% alveolar concentration and propofol was given at 1.5-4 mg/kg/h during surgery. Both groups also received 8-10 μg/kg/hours fentanyl infusion. Following induction, the unconsciousness level was determined by the loc-View at the surgical anaesthetic level (40-60). During cardiopulmonary bypass, desflurane at minimum 0.2 to 2% alveolar concentration and propofol at 1 mg/kg/h were maintained. Troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase muscle and brain (CK-MB) samples were collected at preoperative period and postoperative 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours. Hemodynamic data were recorded.

Results: The levels of troponin I, CK, CK-MB, and BNP levels which were the markers of myocardial damage were higher in the propofol group, compared to the desflurane group.

Conclusion: Our study showed that propofol and desflurane provided adequate level of anesthesia and hemodynamic stability during surgery in patients undergoing CABG surgery. We concluded that desflurane would be more useful for patients having a high risk of ischemia.

Keywords : Brain natriuretic peptide; coronary artery bypass grafting; creatine kinase; creatine kinase muscle and brain; desflurane; preconditioning; propofol; troponin I