A Comparison of Sevoflurane versus Sevoflurane-Propofol Combination on Renal Function in Patients Undergoing Valvular Heart Surgery—A Prospective Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

AIM: The objective of the present study was to compare the effect of sevoflurane with the sevoflurane-propofol combination on renal function in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. The renal protective effect was assessed using a novel marker called neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled pilot study conducted at a tertiary care center in India. The study enrolled 36 patients undergoing elective valvular heart surgery, but only 31 were included. All the patients were randomized into two groups, that is, 15 in the sevoflurane group (S-group) and 16 in the sevoflurane–propofol group (SP-group). The baseline NGAL level and test NGAL level at 4 h after cardiopulmonary bypass were measured. RESULTS: There was a significant rise in the test NGAL levels compared to baseline in both the groups. The test NGAL level in the S-group was significantly high compared to that of the SP-group (P = 0.034). The number of patients with acute kidney injury was less in the SP-group without reaching statistical significance (P = 0.210). CONCLUSION: Renal function was better preserved in patients anesthetized with a combination of sevoflurane and propofol. This could be due to the enhanced protective effect on renal function by both sevoflurane and propofol.