Comparison of IONM Between Remimazolam and Propofol

Inhalation anesthetics significantly can delay latency and reduce amplitude of cortical MEPs and SSEPs signals compared to intravenous anesthetics by acting on not only GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) receptors but also NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, so total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) have been more preferred for neurophysiological monitoring follow-up during surgery. However, just less than inhalation anesthetics, the decrease of amplitude and the delay of latency also occur according to the dose dependant of propofol. Moreover, it can cause various adverse effects such as delayed recovery after anesthesia or propofol infusion syndrome, consequently, combined methods with other agents or conversion to other relative anesthetics are being made. Remimazolam is a ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine, and unlike conventional benzodiazepine drugs, it is rapidly metabolized in plasma and not accumulates in the body for long periods of infusion or even with high dose administration. Recently, there have been repored that continuous infusion of 0.5-1.5 mg/kg of remimazolam has little effect on the motor evoked potential (MEPs) of cervical spine surgery patients, but this is a case report without the control group; further prospective studies are definitely needed. Therefore, in the case of using propofol or remimazolam for total intravenous anesthesia, we aim to investigate which intravenous anesthetic is more appropriate for intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring by comparing the results of the somatosensory evoked potential (SSEPs) and MEPs according to these anesthetics.