EEG burst suppression with propofol during cardiopulmonary bypass in children: a study of the haemodynamic, metabolic and endocrine effects.

We have studied the effects of propofol, given to maintain EEG suppression throughout cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), in 20 children aged 1-15 yr, in a parallel group comparison. Anaesthesia was produced by fentanyl 50 micrograms kg-1, enflurane or halothane and midazolam 0.1 mg kg-1 at the start of CPB. After randomization, 50% of the children also received propofol during CPB. All children were cooled during CPB (25-28 degrees C) and pump flows (non-pulsatile) were 2.4 litre min-1 m-2, reducing to 1.2-1.6 litre min-1 m-2 during hypothermia. Large rates of infusion of propofol were required to maintain EEG suppression, particularly during rewarming. Compared with control, the propofol group showed significant increases in mixed venous oxygen saturation and significant reductions in systemic oxygen uptake and glucose and cortisol concentrations. There were no differences in triiodothyronine and lactate concentrations, mean arterial pressure during CPB and inotrope requirement after CPB, or in recovery times.