Patients suffering pain after open heart surgery have increased levels of catecholamines wich in turn increase myocardial oxygen consumption that may produce myocardial ischaemia. Pain control therefore, may be important for reduction of circulating catecholamines.
Two groups of patients were prospectively randornized to receive either 6 microgramslkg of intrathecal morphine (ITM) or placebo given immediately after induction of anesthesia. Post operatively patients were managed with intravenous morphine administered continuously according to a standard protocol. Patient controlled Analgesia (PCA ).
the airn of this study was to assess the usefulness of ITM for postoperative analgesia and indirectly evaluate its influence in neuroendocrine response in the first 24 hours after open heart surgery .
Patients in the study group had significantly lower requirements of intravenous morphine than those who received placebo. There were no differences in the use of vasoactive drugs or beta bloquers suggesting that stress response is not nffected.
We conclude that ITM is effective for attenuation of postoperative pain
González, M. ., Altamirano, J. ., Álvarez, E. ., Reyes, R. ., Labra, A. ., & Palma, L. . (2001). Utilidad de la morfina intratecal como analgesia postoperatoria de la Cirugía Cardiáca. Revista Hospital Clínico Universidad De Chile, 12(2), pp. 89–95. https://doi.org/10.5354/2735-7996.2001.79906
