Efficacy of dexmedetomidine mixed with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after double lung transplantation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine mixed with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after double lung transplantation. Methods Thirty-two patients of both sexes, aged 33-64 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ, with body mass index of 18-29 kg/m2, were divided into 2 groups (n=16 each) using a random number table: sufentanil group (group S) and dexmedetomidine mixed with sufentanil group (group DS). PCIA was performed after operation in both groups.The PCIA solution contained sufentainl 3.0 μg/kg and tropisetron 10 mg (diluted to 100 ml in normal saline) in group S and sufentainl 3.0 μg/kg, dexmedetomidine 1.0 μg/kg and tropisetron 10 mg (diluted to 100 ml in normal saline) in group DS.Visual analogue scale score was maintained less than or equal to 3 during postoperative analgesia period, and sufentainl 5 μg was intravenously injected when visual analogue scale score was more than or equal to 4.The requirement for rescue analgesics and development of adverse reactions were recorded.The pulmonary arterial pressure was recorded at the end of surgery (T0) and at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h after surgery (T1-5). Results Compared with group S, the requirement for rescue analgesics, incidence of nausea and vomiting and pulmonary arterial pressure at T1-5 were significantly decreased in group DS (P<0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine mixed with sufentanil produces better efficacy for PCIA with fewer adverse reactions and decreases the pulmonary arterial pressure after double lung transplantation. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Sufentanil; Lung transplantation; Analgesia, patient-controlled