Evaluation of the neuroprotective effects of s(+)-ketamine during open-heart surgery

We compared the effect of S(+)-ketamine to remifentanil, both in combination with propofol, on the neurocognitive outcome after open-heart surgery in 106 patients. A battery of neurocognitive tests was administered before surgery and 1 and 10 wk after surgery. Fourteen patients (25%) in the control group and 10 patients (20%) in the S(+)-ketamine group had 2 or more tests with a cognitive deficit (decline by at least one preoperative SD of that test in all patients) 10 wk after surgery (P = 0.54). Z-scores were calculated for all tests. No significantly better performance could be detected in the S(+)-ketamine group, except for the Trailmaking B test 10 wk after surgery. We conclude that S(+)-ketamine offers no greater neuroprotection compared with remifentanil during open-heart surgery.