Neukirchen M, et al. - Researchers conducted an observational cohort study of 20 subsequent adult patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy in order to examine how xenon-based anesthesia influences somatosensory-evoked potentials. Quantification of cortical-evoked responses to median nerve stimulation was done by determining the amplitude and latency of the N20 wave, which is typically evaluated during carotid surgery to detect intraoperative cerebral hypoperfusion and ischemia. During (1) propofol/remifentanil and (2) subsequent xenon/remifentanil anesthesia, assessment of primary (N20 amplitude and latency) and secondary (mean arterial pressure, norepinephrine requirements and depth of anesthesia) was done. Outcomes suggest that via reducing N20 wave amplitude but not latency, xenon influences somatosensory-evoked potentials measurement. When xenon is considered as an anesthetic for carotid endarterectomy, they recommend completing wash-in needs before the commencement of carotid surgery to provide stable baseline somatosensory-evoked potential measurement.