Propofol Infusion and PONV in Cardiac Surgery

This research is designed as a prospective, observational cohort study to be conducted on patients undergoing open-heart surgery between November 2025 and March 2026. In the preoperative period, patients will be instructed to abstain from solid food intake after 24:00 on the night before surgery; consumption of non-alcoholic clear liquids will be allowed until two hours prior to the operation.

All procedures will be performed at the Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cardiology Institute. Following the acquisition of written informed consent, all patients will be transferred to the operating room, where an 18G intravenous cannula will be inserted, and premedication will be administered with midazolam 0.03 mg/kg (IV).

Standard monitoring will include a five-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate assessment, invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring, and peripheral oxygen saturation measurement. All patients will undergo standard anesthesia induction with midazolam 0.15 mg/kg, fentanyl 10 µg/kg, and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg (IV). Orotracheal intubation will be performed using an endotracheal tube of appropriate size according to the patient's age and sex.

Following intubation, mechanical ventilation will be initiated and adjusted to maintain an end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO₂) level between 35 and 45 mmHg. During anesthesia maintenance, the bispectral index (BIS) value will be kept within the 40-60 range. Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) will be maintained using propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium infusions at the discretion of the attending anesthesiologist.

During surgery, all patients will be connected to a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) machine. After completion of graft placement and stabilization of vital signs, patients will be weaned from bypass. Postoperatively, patients will be transported to the intensive care unit (ICU) while still intubated, where mechanical ventilation will be continued and extubation will be performed according to their clinical condition.

Preoperative variables collected for the study will include age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), ASA physical status classification (ASA PS), smoking status, and history of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) or motion sickness. Intraoperative variables will include type of surgical procedure, anesthesia technique, administered drug doses, PONV prophylaxis, duration of surgery, bypass time, and total anesthesia time.

In the postoperative period, duration of mechanical ventilation in the ICU will be recorded, and nausea/vomiting assessments will be conducted systematically by a blinded observer at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours after extubation.

Study Timeline Approximately 5-8 CABG procedures are performed weekly at the IUC Cardiology Institute operating suite. Taking into account patients who may be excluded, data collection from approximately 60 patients is expected to be completed within 3 months. An estimated additional 1-month period will be required for data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript preparation.

Inclusion criteria

Age ≥ 18 years

ASA physical status III

Elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

Surgery performed at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Cardiology Institute between November 2025 and March 2026

Exclusion criteria

Gastrointestinal or central nervous system disorders within the past 3 months

Cochlear disorders associated with nausea and vomiting

Chronic opioid use

Advanced hepatic or renal disease

Alcohol or substance abuse

Left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%

Inability to be weaned from mechanical ventilation within 12 hours postoperatively

Postoperative morphine administration in the intensive care unit

Combined cardiac procedures (e.g., valve surgery)

Off-pump surgery

Emergency surgery

Reoperation due to bleeding or other complications

Refusal to participate