Oxidative Stress in Low-Flow and High-Flow General Anaesthesia: A Single-Centre Prospective Randomised Trial
摘要
Interest in low-fresh-gas flow anaesthesia methods has recently increased. Low-flow anaesthesia protocols expect low inspired oxygen because of the limited gas supply to the rebreathing circuit. Our hypothesis was that different fresh gas flow rates could result in different oxidative stress responses while maintaining the same oxygen concentration (FiO2 0.50).
MethodsSeventy-six patients undergoing general anaesthesia were randomised into low-flow (1 L/min) and high-flow (4 L/min) anaesthesia groups. The FiO2 was standardised at 0.50 for all patients. Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index were measured preoperatively, at the 30th minute intraoperatively, and at the 6th hour postoperatively. Total oxidant status was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included total antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, albumin, C-reactive protein, partial arterial oxygen pressure, vitamin D, and haemodynamics. The statistical analysis included 72 participants who completed the study.
ResultsFor total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index, the group × time interaction was not significant (p = 0.748, p = 0.417, and p = 0.402, respectively). Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index changed similarly over time in both groups. However, the change in total antioxidant status over time was significant (p = 0.009). This difference was observed between preoperative and intraoperative (30 min) (p = 0.006) and preoperative and postoperative (6 h) (p = 0.020) values, but not between intraoperative (30 min) and postoperative (6 h) values (p = 0.774). The group effects on total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and oxidative stress index were insignificant (p = 0.784, p = 0.254, and p = 0.698, respectively).
ConclusionTotal antioxidant status was higher during the intraoperative and postoperative periods than preoperatively, regardless of the low-flow or high-flow anaesthesia technique. The elevation of total antioxidant status during intraoperative and postoperative periods may have helped maintain total oxidant status and reduce oxidative stress due to increased antioxidant levels.
Trial RegistrationThis study was retrospectively registered in the ClinicalTrials. gov database (NCT05590312; 18 October 2022).