The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of remifentanil on the bispectral index (BIS) during intubation under TIVA (total intravenous anesthesia) using propofol.

In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, 80 healthy patients aged 18-60 years undergoing elective surgery were investigated. Anesthesia was induced using propofol (target effect-site concentration 4 µg/ml). After the loss of consciousness, rocuronium (0.9 mg/kg) and remifentanil was infused. The patients in the R group were infused with remifentanil using a target effect-site concentration of 4 ng/ml, and patients in the P group were infused with saline. The BIS value, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before induction, before remifentanil infusion and before and after tracheal intubation.

The BIS value remained constant after intubation in the two groups. The MAP and HR increased significantly after intubation in the two groups, but the degree of increase of MAP and HR was less in group R than in group P significantly.

We suggest that the BIS value is not affected by the administration of remifentanil during intubation under TIVA using propofol.