Sevoflurane and propofol have different cardiorespiratory effects on postural changes. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on hemodynamics and gas exchange index when patients are raised from the supine position to the beach chair position.

Forty patients requiring beach chair position for shoulder surgery were randomly assigned to receive sevoflurane (end-tidal concentration 1 vol%, n = 20) or propofol (target concentration 3µg/ml, n = 20). Hemodynamic variables and arterial blood gas analysis data were recorded and gas exchange indices were calculated before induction (baseline), 20 min after endotracheal intubation (supine position), and 20 min after beach chair position.

There were significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and central venous oxygen saturation after beach chair position. There were no significant changes in gas exchange indices after the position changes. There were no significant differences between groups in hemodynamics and gas exchanges indices.

Raising healthy patients from the supine to the beach-chair position produced a significant decrease in hemodynamic indices with little changes in gas exchange indices. However, the effects of sevoflurane and propofol on the both hemodynamic and gas change indices were not significantly different.