General Anesthesia With Xenon in Inspiratory Concentrations of 50% and 70% and Total I.V. Anaesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient ≥ 50 years old
• ASA (American Society of Anaesthesiologists) Status III
• Patient with increased risk of perioperative cardiac complications (Revised Cardiac Risk Index)
• Surgical operation: laparotomy or orthopaedic surgery or laparoscopy
• Planned duration of general anaesthesia in the range of 2-6 hours
• Patient willing and able to complete the requirements of this study including the signature of the written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient with severe impairment of cardiac function (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction < 35%)
• Patient with drug-eluding stent placed within 12 months prior to selection
• Woman of child-bearing potential not implementing adequate contraceptive methods
• Pregnant or lactating woman
• Surgical procedure in emergency
• Chronic opioids pain therapy

• Serious illness or medical conditions which are possible contra indication for elective general anaesthesia or administration of intra operative treatments, or which are interfering with the monitoring devices, such as:

  • Myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to selection
  • Any significant history of allergy/hypersensitivity to any drugs used during the study, to silicone or to latex
  • Severely impaired hearing
  • Known severe neurological disorders
  • Any medical condition which does not justify the trial participation in the investigator's judgement
  • General anaesthesia within 7 days prior to selection
  • Laparotomy within 3 months prior to selection, only for patients undergoing laparotomy
• History of drug abuse or psychiatric disorders which would impair the understanding of the necessary information or render medically or legally not able to give written informed consent
• Concurrent treatment with any other experimental drugs
• Participation in any other clinical trial within 4 weeks prior to selection