A combination of intrathecal morphine and remifentanil anesthesia for fast-track cardiac anesthesia and surgery

Objective: To determine if the combined remifentanil and intrathecal morphine (RITM) anesthetic technique facilitates early extubation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Setting: Referral center for cardiothoracic surgery at a university hospital. Participants: Patients (n = 24) undergoing first-time elective CABG surgery. Interventions: Two groups represented RITM (n = 12) and fentanyl-based (controls, n = 12) anesthesia. Premedication was standardized to temazepam, 0.4 mg/kg, and anesthesia was induced with etomidate, 0.3 mg/kg, in both groups. The RITM group received remifentanil, 1 mug/kg bolus followed by 0.25 to 1 mug/kg/min infusion, and intrathecal morphine, 2 mg. The control group received fentanyl, 12 mug/kg in 3 divided doses. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and pancuronium in both groups. After completion of surgery, the remifentanil infusion was stopped. Complete reversal of muscle relaxation was ensured with a nerve stimulator, and a propofol infusion, 0.5 to 3 mg/kg/h, was started in both groups. All patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) to receive standardized postoperative care. Intensivists and ICU nurses were blinded to the group assignment. Propofol infusion was stopped, and the tracheal extubation was accomplished when extubation criteria were fulfilled. Measurements and Main Results: Both groups were similar with respect to demographic data and surgical characteristics. Extubation times were 156 +/- 82 minutes and 258 +/- 91 minutes in the RITM and control groups (p = 0.012). Patients in the RITM group exhibited lower visual analog scale pain scores during the first 2 hours after extubation (p < 0.04). Morphine requirements during the 24 hours after extubation were 2.5 +/- 3 mg in the RITM group and 16 +/- 11 mg in the control group (p = 0.0018). Sedation scores were lower in the RITM group during the first 3 hours after extubation (p < 0.03). Pulmonary function tests as assessed by spirometry were better in the RITM group at 6 and 12 hours after extubation (p < 0.04). There were no significant differences in PaO2 and PaCO2 after extubation between the 2 groups. None of the patients had episodes of apnea during the immediate 24-hour postextubation period. Two patients from the RITM group required reintubation on the second and sixth postoperative days. There were no differences in ICU and hospital length of stay between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Implementation of the RITM technique provided earlier tracheal extubation, decreased level of sedation, excellent analgesia, and improved spirometry in the early postoperative period. The impact of RITM on ICU and hospital length of stay and potential cost benefits require further evaluation. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.