Preoperative Alcohol Use, Postoperative Pain, and Opioid Use After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

ObjectivesChronic alcohol use is associated with chronic pain and increased opioid consumption. The association between chronic alcohol use and acute postoperative pain has been minimally studied. Our objective was to explore the association between preoperative alcohol use, postoperative pain, and opioid consumption after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingSingle academic medical center. ParticipantsPatients having isolated CABG. InterventionsNone Measurements and Main ResultsDemographics, comorbidities, and baseline alcohol consumption were recorded. Primary outcomes were mean pain score and morphine milligram equivalent consumption on postoperative day 0. Among 1,338 patients, there were 764 (57.1%) who had no weekly preoperative alcohol use, 294 (22.0%) who drank ≤ 1 drink per week, 170 (12.7%) who drank 2-7 drinks per week, and 110 (8.2%) who drank 8 or more drinks per week. There was no significant difference in mean pain score on postoperative day 0 in patients who consumed different amounts of alcohol (No alcohol = 5.3 ± 2.2, ≤ 1 drink = 5.2 ± 2.1, 2-7 drinks = 5.3 ± 2.3, 8 or more drinks = 5.4 ± 1.9, P=0.66). There was also no significant difference in median MME use on postoperative day 0 in patients who consumed different amounts of alcohol (No alcohol = 22.5 mg, ≤ 1 drink=21.1 mg, 2-7 drinks = 24.8 mg, 8 or more drinks = 24.5 mg, P=0.14). ConclusionsThere is no apparent association between mild to moderate preoperative alcohol consumption and early postoperative pain and opioid use in CABG patients.