Effect of remimazolam induction on hemodynamics in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Background The stability of hemodynamics during anesthesia induction in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery is particularly important. Remimazolam is a new type of benzodiazepine drug, with supposed advantages of rapid induction, rapid recovery, stable hemodynamics, and mild respiratory inhibition. Aim To evaluate the effect of remimazolam anesthesia induction on hemodynamics in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery. Methods This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial enrolled consecutive patients undergoing mitral valve replacement (MVR)/aortic valve replacement (AVR)/double-valve replacement (DVR) surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The study was conducted according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either remimazolam or propofol induction of 30 patients each. All patients, data collectors, and data analyzers were blinded to the group allocation. The primary outcomes were the fluctuations in hemodynamic parameters (the difference of maximum or minimum heart rate to baseline, Delta HR, the difference of maximum or minimum mean arterial pressure to baseline, Delta MAP), the occurrence of cardiovascular events (hypotension, severe bradycardia), and the cumulative norepinephrine doses used per patient, averaged per group during induction. The secondary outcomes were hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, HR, mean arterial pressure, MAP, bispectral index, BIS, plasma lactic acid, Lac, and blood glucose, Glu values). Results A total of 60 patients with heart valve replacement were included in the final analysis, with 30 patients in each group. The Delta MAP was significantly lower in the remimazolam group than in the propofol group during induction (p < .05). The incidences of hypotension and the cumulative norepinephrine doses used per patient, averaged per group during induction were significantly lower in the remimazolam group than in the propofol group (p < .05). Conclusion Remimazolam may be safe and effective for induction and may as an alternative to propofol during anesthesia induction in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery.