Effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil function in cardiac surgical patients.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of propofol and methohexital on neutrophil leukocyte oxidative burst in cardiac surgical patients. Forty-six patients after weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass either received propofol (n=29) or methohexital (n=17). Oxidative burst was measured before induction of anaesthesia, on admission to intensive care unit (ICU), 6 hours after ICU admission and 24 hours after start of anaesthesia. Neutrophil leukocyte oxidative burst at start of anaesthesia and on ICU admission was 93 +/- 4% and 95 +/- 4% (methohexital) and 95 +/- 5% and 96 +/- 4% (propofol). Oxidative burst decreased at 6 hours of ICU stay and 24 hours after start of anaesthesia in propofol group (79 +/- 16 and 72 +/- 19%, p < 0.05) and methohexital group (83 +/- 14% and 82 +/- 15%, P < 0.05). However, at 24 hours after start of anaesthesia oxidative burst was significantly higher for methohexital (82 +/- 15%) than propofol (72 +/- 19%) (p < 0.05). Neutrophil leukocyte oxidative burst is depressed more by propofol than methohexital 24 hours after induction of anaesthesia. However, there were no differences in the clinical outcome in terms of serum creatinine, serum bilirubin, duration of ventilation, pneumonia and length of ICU stay in the two groups.