A comparison of bispectral index and ARX-derived auditory evoked potential index in measuring the clinical interaction between ketamine and propofol anaesthesia.

We evaluated the effects of a bolus (0.4 mg.kg-1) and continuous infusion (1 mg.kg-1.h-1) of ketamine on Bispectral Index (BIS) and A-Line(R) ARX Index (AAI) during propofol anaesthesia. We included 15 ASA I patients scheduled for general anaesthesia. Induction was performed by infusion of propofol at 100 ml.h-1 until loss of consciousness. Both BIS and AAI monitors responded appropriately at that time. The calculated effect site concentration of propofol at loss of consciousness was maintained by means of a computer controlled infusion system. A 'pseudo' steady-state effect site concentration was reached after 4 min. After 1 min of baseline measurements, ketamine was administered. BIS values increased from the 3rd to the 8th min after the administration of ketamine. The AAI showed no significant increase or decrease, but between-patient variability increased.