title: Comparison of low-dose sufentanil and fentanyl in balanced intravenous anesthesia for orthotopic cardiac transplantation.
abstract: A retrospective review was made of the records of 118 patients who received orthotopic heart transplant. Anesthetic techniques, drugs, dosage, hemodynamic profiles, intubation time, and intensive care unit stay were evaluated. The efficacy of sufentanil was compared to fentanyl in a balanced anesthetic when given in lower doses. Patients were given adequate anesthesia with total opioid doses of sufentanil, 6.5 +/- 2.9 micrograms.kg-1, or fentanyl, 58.9 +/- 24.9 micrograms.kg-1. Midazolam was used in all patients (mean dose 7.6 +/- 3.8 mg). There were no differences between the groups in complications, requirements for inotropic support, or time to extubation. A significantly higher pulmonary artery pressure was noted in patients who received sufentanil, but not fentanyl, pretransplant. The pulmonary artery pressures were not significantly elevated posttransplant. This review indicated that patients can be safely anesthetized with either combination of drug in lower doses than previously recommended.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mangar
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Thrush
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halder
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fuller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017409:Sufentanil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D017409:Sufentanil; D005283:Fentanyl