Propofol-based versus fentanyl-isoflurane-based anesthesia for cardiac surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate drug costs, time of mechanical ventilation, complications, and hospital length of stay comparing propofol-based with fentanyl-isoflurane-based anesthesia.


METHODS
A prospective, randomized study.


METHODS
A university-affiliated, tertiary care community hospital.


METHODS
Seventy patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass surgery.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to either a low-dose fentanyl-isoflurane or a lower-dose fentanyl-isoflurane anesthetic supplemented with a continuous infusion of propofol.


RESULTS
Fentanyl-isoflurane anesthesia was significantly less expensive ($50.03+/-$27.26 v $121.69+/-$31.40) for anesthesia drugs and ($58.08+/-$27.39 v $129.91+/-$31.52) for total drug costs. There was also a trend for patients in the fentanyl-isoflurane group to be extubated slightly sooner (388+/-202 v 449+/-252 min) and go home sooner (5.1+/-1.8 v 6.0+/-3.0 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Fentanyl-isoflurane provides an inexpensive anesthetic that permits as prompt an extubation as propofol, thus conserving resources for other patients.
Engoren
M C
MC
Department of Anesthesiology, Saint Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43608, USA.
Kraras
C
C
Garzia
F
F
D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007530:Isoflurane; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol