Bonanni A, Signori A, Alicino C, et al. - Via this meta-analysis of randomized trials, researchers compared both short- and long-term mortality (primary outcomes) and major clinical events among adults who received anesthesia maintenance with volatile agents vs propofol while undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. They explored PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and article reference lists from 1965 to September 30, 2019, to identify relevant randomized clinical trials. Overall 37 full-text articles (42 studies, 8,197 participants) were analyzed. Lower 1-yr mortality, myocardial infarction, cardiac troponin release, requirement for inotropic medications, extubation time, and higher cardiac index/output were reported in relation to the class of volatile anesthetics vs propofol. There was no link of the class of volatile anesthetics with alterations in short-term mortality and acute kidney injury. Overall, findings revealed the superiority of the class of volatile anesthetics over propofol, in terms of long-term mortality, as well as many secondary outcomes indicating myocardial protection.