Effects of Remimazolam on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Aortic Arch Surgery

September 14, 2026 updated by: Youn Joung Cho, MD, PhD, Seoul National University Hospital

Effects of Remimazolam on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Aortic Arch Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare remimazolam- and propofol-based anesthesia for their effects on postoperative cognitive dysfunction in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery. These procedures involve a substantial risk of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, which may contribute to postoperative cognitive decline. Although experimental studies have suggested potential neuroprotective effects of remimazolam, clinical evidence in patients undergoing high-risk aortic arch surgery remains limited. This prospective, randomized controlled trial will compare the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction between patients receiving remimazolam- or propofol-based anesthesia. In addition, changes in circulating neuroinflammatory and neuronal injury biomarkers will be evaluated to explore the potential mechanisms underlying any neuroprotective effect of remimazolam. The findings may provide clinical evidence to guide anesthetic selection and improve neurological outcomes in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
80

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • South Korea
      • Seoul, South Korea, 03080
        • Seoul National University Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged 19 years or older
  • Patients scheduled to undergo total or partial aortic arch replacement for aortic arch disease, with planned circulatory arrest and/or selective cerebral perfusion as a cerebral protection strategy during surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pre-existing cognitive impairment, defined as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score <24
  • Acute cerebral hemorrhage or cerebral infarction within the previous 3 months
  • History of hypersensitivity to remimazolam or other benzodiazepines
  • History of alcohol or substance abuse
  • Chronic use of opioids or benzodiazepines
  • Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C)
  • Acute or chronic renal failure requiring dialysis Emergency surgery or acute aortic dissection

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Remimazolam group
Remimazolam Besylate (2mg/mL)
Drug: Remimazolam Besylate
- Continuous drug: remimazolam diluted to 2 mg/mL in normal saline - Maintenance: 1-2 mg/kg/h (titrated to BIS 40-60, max 2 mg/kg/h)
Experimental: Propofol group
Propofol (20mg/mL)
Drug: propofol
Continuous drug: propofol (undiluted, 20 mg/mL) - Administration: target-controlled infusion (TCI, Marsh model) - Maintenance: 1-1.5 μg/mL (titrated to BIS 40-60)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of postoperative cognitive decline
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to postoperative day 7 or before hospital discharge
Postoperative cognitive function will be assessed using the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) and the Korean version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K). Both assessments will be performed preoperatively and again on postoperative day 7 or before hospital discharge. Postoperative cognitive dysfunction will be defined as a decrease of ≥2 points from the preoperative baseline score in either the K-MMSE or MoCA-K.
Preoperative baseline to postoperative day 7 or before hospital discharge

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in plasma IL-1β concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline and 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. The change from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. Plasma IL-1β concentration will be measured in pg/mL using the Meso Scale Discovery assay.
Preoperative baseline to 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Change in plasma TNF-α concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline and 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. The change from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. Plasma TNF-α concentration will be measured in pg/mL using the Meso Scale Discovery assay.
Preoperative baseline to 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Change in plasma IL-6 concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline and 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. The change from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. Plasma IL-6 concentration will be measured in pg/mL using the Meso Scale Discovery assay.
Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Change in plasma IL-10 concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline and 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. The change from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. Plasma IL-10 concentration will be measured in pg/mL using the Meso Scale Discovery assay.
Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Change in plasma HMGB1 concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline through 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline, 2-4 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass, and 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. Changes from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. Plasma HMGB1 concentration will be measured in pg/mL using the Multiplex bead assay.
Preoperative baseline through 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Change in plasma GFAP concentration
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass
Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) concentration will be measured at preoperative baseline and 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass. The change from baseline will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups. GFAP will be analyzed using the Single Molecule Array (Simoa) assay.
Preoperative baseline to 24 hours after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of postoperative delirium
Time Frame: Preoperative baseline to postoperative day 7 or before hospital discharge
Postoperative delirium will be assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU). The incidence of postoperative delirium will be compared between the remimazolam and propofol groups.
Preoperative baseline to postoperative day 7 or before hospital discharge

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Seoul National University Hospital

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Hana Pharm Co., Ltd.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
November 30, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 7, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 7, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 14, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Arch_RMZ vs PPF

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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