Minto and Eleveld Remifentanil Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) Models: a Clinical Comparison

Remifentanil is commonly used as an opioid during general anesthesia. In recent years, several pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) models for target-controlled infusion (TCI) have been developed, with the Eleveld model being one of the most recent and designed for broad applicability. The aim of this study is to compare the Eleveld TCI model with the routinely used Minto model, in order to evaluate potential differences in the predicted effect-site concentrations (CeR) required to achieve equivalent analgesia levels, as measured by qNOX (CONOX monitor) and the Analgesia Nociception Index (ANI). Post-Tetanic Count (PTC) was also assessed during the maintenance phase to investigate possible differences in nociceptive index responses between the two TCI models.