Randomized Isoflurane and Sevoflurane Comparison in Cardiac Surgery

"The intervention in this trial is randomization to either maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane or maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane. The designated volatile anesthetic will be given at a strict minimal amount throughout the entire cardiac surgery (including cardiopulmonary bypass). This regimen (administration throughout the entire operation) has proved to have the greatest efficacy. Apart from this intervention, the anesthetic for patients participating in this trial will not be substantially different from normal practice, as the intention is to allow normal practice (with the exception of the choice of volatile anesthetic agent) to maximize the applicability and external validity of the trial. The management of anticoagulation, cardiac surgical techniques, and other aspects of the procedure will be managed in an unaltered fashion.~No IV drug infusions will be permitted until after protamine administration."