Comparison of analgesic effects of remifentanil and fentanyl NCA after pediatric cardiac surgery

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of remifentanil with fentanyl following pediatric cardiac surgery. Fifty patients were included in the study and were randomized into two groups. Patients in group R were given remifentanil (50 μg/ml) at an infusion rate of 0.07 μg/kg/min and with bolus doses of 0.25 μg/kg with a 5-min lockout time; group F patients received fentanyl (50 μg/ml) at an infusion rate of 0.1 μg/kg/min and with bolus doses of 1 μg/kg with a 5-min lockout time. Pain was assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale (FLACC scale), and sedation was assessed using the Ramsay sedation score. The number of boluses and demands, time to extubation, and side effects were analyzed. The FLACC scale, Ramsay sedation score, and mean extubation times were similar in the two groups. The total number of boluses and demands were significantly greater for group R than for group F. Itching as a side-effect was more severe in group F (p < .05). NCA remifentanil and fentanyl offer similarly effective pain control after pediatric cardiac surgery, but remifentanil has fewer side effects than fentanyl, indicating the suitability of remifentanil for use in NCA systems.

Keywords: cardiac surgery; fentanyl; pediatric; postoperative analgesia; remifentanil.