Thoracic epidural analgesia in aortocoronary bypass surgery. I: Haemodynamic effects. Modulation of the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass by dopexamine and epidural anesthesia. Effects of thoracic epidural analgesia on pulmonary function after coronary artery bypass surgery. Myocardial, inflammatory, and stress responses in off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery with thoracic epidural anesthesia. Comparison of the modulatory effects of four different fast-track anesthetic techniques on the inflammatory response to cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The influence of thoracic epidural analgesia on transcapillary fluid balance in subcutaneous tissue. A study in patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery. Continuous epidural infusion of morphine for pain relief after cardiac operations. Reversible cardiac sympathectomy by high thoracic epidural anesthesia improves regional left ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized trial. Effects of anaesthesia based on high versus low doses of opioids on the cytokine and acute-phase protein responses in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The effect of thoracic epidural analgesia on the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Coronary artery bypass grafting using two different anesthetic techniques: Part 2: Postoperative outcome. A prospective, randomised, single-blind pilot study to determine the effect of anaesthetic technique on troponin T release after off-pump coronary artery surgery. To ventilate or not after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery: the role of epidural anesthesia. High thoracic epidural blockade increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary surgery patients. High thoracic epidural anesthesia, but not clonidine, attenuates the perioperative stress response via sympatholysis and reduces the release of troponin T in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on flow and endothelium of internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. General anesthesia with thoracic epidural anesthesia in the cardiopulmonary bypass surgery reduces apoptosis by upregulating antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Thoracic epidural versus intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial on length of hospital stay and patient-perceived quality of recovery. Impact of high thoracic epidural anesthesia on incidence of perioperative atrial fibrillation in off-pump coronary bypass grafting: a prospective randomized study. Prospective randomized trial of high thoracic epidural analgesia for coronary artery bypass surgery. Thoracic epidural anesthesia during coronary artery bypass surgery: effects on cardiac sympathetic activity, myocardial blood flow and metabolism, and central hemodynamics. Epidural anesthesia and analgesia: effects on recovery from cardiac surgery. Thoracic epidural anesthesia for cardiac surgery: a randomized trial. Epidural anesthesia for coronary artery bypass surgery compared with general anesthesia alone does not reduce biochemical markers of myocardial damage. Thoracic epidural anesthesia improves early outcomes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Hormonal effects of thoracic extradural analgesia for cardiac surgery. Thoracic epidural anesthesia for cardiac surgery: the effects on tracheal intubation time and length of hospital stay. Thoracic epidural anesthesia as an adjunct to general anesthesia for cardiac surgery: effects on ventilation-perfusion relationships. A prospective randomized study of the potential benefits of thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Thoracic epidural analgesia in obese patients with body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2 for off pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Effects of amiodarone and thoracic epidural analgesia on atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting.
Tachycardia and hypertension may cause myocardial ischaemia in patients with coronary heart disease going through major surgery. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has been reported to be beneficial in this situation. The haemodynamic effects of TEA in aortocoronary bypass surgery were investigated in 30 male patients < 65 years old and with ejection fraction > 0.5. They were randomized into 3 groups: the high dose fentanyl (HF) group receiving high-dose fentanyl (55 micrograms.kg-1) anaesthesia, the HF+TEA group receiving the same fentanyl dose+TEA with 10 ml bupivacaine 5 mg.ml-1 followed by 4 ml every hour, and the low dose fentanyl (LF) + TEA group receiving low-dose fentanyl (15 micrograms.kg-1) anaesthesia+TEA. Haemodynamic parameters, the use of vasoactive and inotropic drugs and fluid balance were followed during the operation and for 20 h postoperatively. Before bypass the only significant difference between groups was a higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure in the HF+TEA group and a lower systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in the LF+TEA group, both compared to the HF group. 89% of epidural group patients needed small doses of ephedrine whereas more HF group patients were given nitroglycerine. During bypass SVR and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly higher and pump flow lower in the HF group compared to the LF+TEA group. More ketanserin to HF group patients and methoxamine to epidural group patients were given. After bypass heart rate increased in all groups. Lower MAP 0.5 h after bypass and higher filling pressures in the early post bypass period in the epidural groups, most pronounced in the HF+TEA group, were noted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory reaction. Microcirculation-dependent alteration of the gut mucosal barrier with subsequent translocation of endotoxins is a postulated mechanism for this inflammatory response. This study was designed to elucidate whether two different approaches to modulate splanchnic perfusion may influence systemic inflammation to CPB.
                We examined 40 patients scheduled for elective coronary bypass surgery in a prospective, randomized study. One group (DPX) received dopexamine (1 micro g. kg-1. min-1) continuously after induction of anesthesia until 18 h after CPB. The control group (CON) received equal volumes of NaCl 0.9% in a time-matched fashion. In a third group (EPI) a continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.25% [(body height (cm) - 100). 10-1=ml.h-1] was administered for the whole study period. Procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptor, human soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count were measured as parameters of inflammation.
                All parameters significantly increased following CPB. Increases of PCT, TNF-alpha and leukocyte count were significantly attenuated in the DPX and EPI groups at different time points. However, neither splanchnic blood flow nor oxygen delivery and consumption were different when compared with the CON-group.
                These results do suggest that mechanisms other than an improved splanchnic blood flow by DPX and EPI treatment have to be considered for the anti-inflammatory effects. A substantial reduction in lung volumes and pulmonary function follows cardiac surgery. Pain may prevent effective breathing and coughing, and as thoracic epidural analgesia may reduce postoperative pain, we investigated the effect of epidural analgesia on pulmonary function.
                Fifty-four male patients, under 65 years and with an ejection fraction of more than 0.5, were randomized into two groups: a control group receiving high-dose fentanyl anaesthesia and an epidural group receiving low-dose fentanyl anaesthesia + thoracic epidural analgesia. Time to awakening and time to extubation were recorded. Further, spirometric data, arterial oxygenation, pulmonary shunt, haemodynamics, use of vasoactive drugs and fluid balance were followed for up to 6 days postoperatively.
                Patients with low-dose fentanyl and epidural analgesia awoke (1.6 vs 3.6 h) and were extubated (5.4 vs 10.8 h) significantly earlier than control group patients. A 50-70% reduction in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1.0) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was seen after surgery, but higher FEV1.0 and PEFR on days 2 and 3 were seen in the epidural group than in the control group. Pulmonary shunt and alveolo-arterial oxygen difference increased similarly in both groups, whereas oxygen delivery and mixed venous oxygen saturation were higher in the epidural group. Epidural analgesia gave better control of the postoperative hyperdynamic circulation.
                Thoracic epidural analgesia yields a slight, but significant, improvement in pulmonary function, most likely due to a more profound postoperative analgesia. Epidural anesthesia has been suggested to exert a protective effect against the inflammatory and stress responses associated with surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of thoracic epidural anesthesia on myocardial cell damage, inflammatory, and stress responses in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery.
                Seventy-four patients (66 male [89%], mean age 65.2 years [SD 9.6]) undergoing OPCABG surgery were randomly assigned to receive either general anesthesia plus epidural (GAE [n = 36]) or general anesthesia only (GA [n = 38]). Troponin I, 8-isoprostane, cortisol, C3alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were measured preoperatively, at 30 minutes, and 4, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively.
                Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. One patient died in the GAE group, but no other major postoperative complications were recorded in either group. The IL-6 and IL-8 levels were lower in the GAE group (ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.68 to 1.02; p = 0.070) than in the GA group (ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.78 to 1.02; p = 0.090). The difference in levels of IL-10 between the GAE and GA groups varied over time (p greater, similar 0.001). The C3alpha, troponin I, 8-isoprostane, and cortisol release was similar in the two groups throughout (p > or = 0.12).
                Thoracic epidural anesthesia does not provide any additional benefits in terms of reducing myocardial damage, inflammatory, and stress response compared with general anesthesia only in patients undergoing OPCABG surgery. To test the hypothesis that the choice of anesthesia technique for coronary artery surgery influences the degree and magnitude of the subsequent inflammatory response and its consequences.
                Prospective, randomized, comparative study.
                Major university teaching hospital.
                Sixty patients undergoing elective surgery.
                Patients were randomized into an alfentanil group, a high-dose remifentanil group, a low-dose remifentanil group, or a thoracic epidural group, in combination with a propofol target-controlled infusion. The study was blinded for the opioid, except in the epidural group. Tight control of perioperative hemodynamic parameters was maintained, and the postoperative management was strictly standardized. Bactericidal permeability-increasing protein as an indicator of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil response, interleukin-6 as an inducer of the acute-phase response, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and C-reactive protein as parameters of the acute phase response were determined at regular intervals. Ventilator dependency and analgesia were evaluated as clinical outcome measures.
                Interleukin-6 levels increased in all groups. Plasma levels in the epidural group were significantly higher at all time points than in the other groups. The increase in the plasma levels of bactericidal permeability-increasing protein, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and C-reactive protein showed the same pattern in all groups, and no significant differences among the 4 groups were observed.
                Supplementation of a fast-track anesthetic technique with epidural analgesia preserves hemodynamic stability and is associated with faster extubation times (p = 0.003) and less postoperative pain (p = 0.045). Thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with significantly higher levels of IL-6 throughout the study period as compared with the total intravenous anesthesia groups. The exact clinical relevance of this finding remains unclear. Clinical observation and calculation of fluid balance have shown that patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass surgery with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in addition to general anesthesia retain less fluid than patients having general anesthesia only. The present study was designed to investigate whether this effect could be explained by thoracic epidural analgesia influencing the transcapillary fluid balance, i.e. the transcapillary forces (COPpl, COPif, Pif). Interstitial fluid colloid osmotic pressure (COPif) and interstitial fluid pressure (Pif) were measured subcutaneously at heart level by the blister suction technique and the wick-in-needle technique, respectively. Simultaneously plasma colloid osmotic pressure (COPpl) was recorded. Sixteen male patients were allocated to two groups, one having general anesthesia only (controls, n = 8). The other group (TEA, n = 8) received, at the induction of anesthesia, bupivacaine 50 mg via an epidural catheter as an adjunct to general anesthesia. TEA was maintained by continuous infusion for 24 h postoperatively. Preoperatively no intergroup differences were observed in "the Starling forces" (COPpl, COPif, Pif). At the start of extracorporeal circulation COPpl was significantly lower in the TEA-group than in controls. During extracorporeal circulation the transcapillary COP-gradient (COPpl-COPif) was reversed in both groups. At the end of extracorporeal circulation Pif increased to a minor degree in the TEA-group and remained significantly lower than in controls from 3 to 24 h postoperatively. The subcutaneous interstitial tissue could be less expanded postoperatively in the TEA-group, also reflected by a lower increase in Pif. Postoperative pain relief and stress hormones were examined during the use of continuous epidural infusion of morphine at a rate of 0.1 mg/hr in 30 patients (Group B) after coronary artery bypass grafting. This was compared to our routine method of postoperative analgesia of intravenous morphine 2 mg/2 hr and as needed in another 30 patients (Group A). Continuous epidural morphine infusion required occasional supplementation with intravenous morphine and achieved effective analgesia in 80% of the patients. Pain relief was adequate in 50% of the patients in Group A. The mean dose of morphine used in Group B during the first 3 postoperative days was 5 mg per patient per day and was significantly lower than that used in Group A (mean 18 mg per patient per day). Serum morphine was undetectable (below 2.5 ng/ml) in Group B and was significantly lower than that in Group A (17 ng/ml). Epidural analgesia was associated with adequate postoperative pulmonary and cardiovascular functions; nausea and vomiting occurred in two patients. Levels of postoperative stress, serum cortisol, and beta-endorphin were significantly lower in Group B than in Group A. This study shows that continuous epidural infusion of morphine at a rate of 0.1 mg/hr provides selective and effective pain relief and reduces postoperative stress after cardiac operations. This method of analgesia was also associated with minimal side effects and provides an alternate approach for treatment of pain after cardiac operations. To evaluate the effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on global and regional myocardial function and on perioperative coronary risk in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
                Prospective and randomized clinical trial blinded for the primary outcome measure of 73 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting who had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 50% or more conducted from February 1, 2000, through August 31, 2000, at University Hospital, Münster, Germany.
                Of 73 randomized patients, 37 were control subjects (who received general anesthesia only) and 36 were in the group who received general anesthesia and high TEA.
                The primary outcome measure was regional left ventricular function after myocardial revascularization, assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. We further determined the plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin I and atrial and brain natriuretic peptides. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative complications recorded to 14 days and mortality recorded to 720 days.
                High TEA was effective in all patients of this group, the somatosensory block extended from T1 through T7 vertebrae. Regional left ventricular function was significantly improved (mean [SD] global wall motion index, 0.74 [0.18] vs 0.38 [0.16]; P<.05), and cardiac troponin I concentrations were reduced by 72% (mean [SD], 5.7 [1.5] vs 1.6 [0.7] ng/mL, P<.05) in patients with high TEA. Natriuretic peptide concentrations peaked during reperfusion (atrial natriuretic peptide) and 24 hours after reperfusion (brain natriuretic peptide). High TEA reduced the mean (SD) peak concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide by 54% (211 [63] vs 98 [33] ng/mL, P =.03) and brain natriuretic peptide by 43% (189 [39] vs 108 [21] ng/mL, P =.01). One of 36 patients who received high TEA and 3 of 37 controls died.
                Reversible cardiac sympathectomy by high TEA improves regional left ventricular function and reduces postoperative ischemia after coronary artery bypass grafting. These effects of high TEA may improve the long-term outcome after myocardial revascularization. Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) evokes a systemic inflammatory response involving the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8 and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10. Like IL-10, opioids downregulate the immune responses in vivo and in vitro, including the activity of the cytokine-producing monocytes and granulocytes. The proinflammatory cytokines are potent inducers of the hepatic acute-phase protein synthesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate if choice of anaesthesia, based on high-dose opioids (fentanyl) versus low-dose opioids influenced the release of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. Secondly, it was investigated whether serum amyloid P-component (SAP) is an acute-phase protein in man such as C-reactive protein (CRP), with which it is physically and structurally related.
                Sixteen patients submitted to elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery were randomized to either low-dose opioid anaesthesia consisting of thoracic epidural analgesia combined with inhalational anaesthesia (group I) or high-dose fentanyl anaesthesia (group II). From each patient 18 blood samples were taken perioperatively. Cytokine analyses were performed with ELISA, CRP and SAP mere measured with rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE).
                Surgery and CPB elicited a marked, transient and almost simultaneous proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine response with no differences between the groups. The cytokine levels returned to preoperative levels 1-3 d after operation. Anaesthesia and surgery did not affect SAP plasma levels while patients showed a major increase in CRP concentrations preceding the cytokine responses.
                CABG performed during two different anaesthetic techniques, high-dose fentanyl versus low-dose opioid anaesthesia, elicited a well-defined cytokine response with minor variation in the time course of each cytokine. The cytokine production was not modified by type of anaesthesia. Finally, SAP is not an acute-phase protein in men. To evaluate the effect of perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia followed by postoperative epidural analgesia compared with conventional IV anesthesia on the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia in patients undergoing elective coronary bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
                Randomized controlled trial.
                Cardiac surgery unit at a university hospital.
                A total of 50 patients undergoing elective CABG surgery.
                Patients were randomly assigned to receive either conventional IV anesthesia (CON) or general anesthesia combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia followed by postoperative epidural analgesia (TEA) with bupivacaine. Postoperatively, the patients were monitored in the surgical ward with a pulse oximeter for a total of two postoperative nights (the second and third postoperative nights).
                The overall incidence of episodic hypoxemia was 56% (28 of 50 patients) on the second postoperative night and 89% (41 of 46 patients) on the third postoperative night. More than 30 episodes of hypoxemia developed on the second night in 22% of patients (11 of 50 patients), and on the third night in 30% of patients (14 of 46 patients). Despite oxygen therapy, 7% of patients (3 of 46 patients) experienced constant hypoxemia on the third night. In general, hypoxemia seemed to be slightly worse on the third postoperative night compared with the second postoperative night. Significantly more patients in the TEA group (25 of 25 patients) experienced episodic hypoxemia on the third postoperative night compared with the CON group (16 of 21 patients; p < 0.05). Otherwise, there were no significant differences between the two regimens.
                Both episodic and constant hypoxemia were common in the late postoperative period in patients on the ward after CABG surgery with no clinically significant intergroup differences. Thus, perioperative epidural anesthesia/analgesia combined with postoperative epidural anesthesia/analgesia was not protective against hypoxemia, and therapy with opioids did not seem to be of importance for the occurrence of late postoperative hypoxemia on nights 2 and 3 after CABG surgery. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of intraoperative and postoperative epidural pain management during and after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on the recovery time, postoperative pulmonary and cardiac parameters, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and sedation scores (SS) compared with patients anesthetized with general anesthesia (GA) whose postoperative pain was relieved with intermittent intravenous (IV) administration of nicomorphine. Fifty-four patients were studied postoperatively after uncomplicated CABG. In the thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) group (n = 27), intraoperative analgesia was based on high TEA in combination with GA. In the GA group (n = 27), IV anesthesia with high-dose sufentanil and midazolam was used. Postoperative pain management in the GA group consisted of intermittent IV administration of nicomorphine, 0.1 mg/kg every 6 hours, whereas for the TEA group continuous high TEA with 0.125% bupivacaine plus sufentanil, 1:1,000,000 (0.05 mL/cm body length/hr) was used. Patients in the TEA group awakened earlier (148 [34] minutes vs 335 [51] minutes), resumed spontaneous respiration earlier (326 [79] minutes vs 982 [52] minutes), and were extubated earlier (463 [79] minutes vs 1140 [58] minutes). VAS score, SS, and postoperative PaO2 were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) better in the TEA group. The incidence of tachycardia (15 vs 2 patients) and postoperative myocardial ischemia (12 vs 4 patients) was higher in the GA group. It is concluded that intraoperative and postoperative pain treatment with epidurally administered bupivacaine plus sufentanil improved the recovery time, as well as pulmonary and cardiac outcome after CABG, when compared with IV postoperative pain treatment after intraoperative GA with sufentanil and midazolam. Ischaemic damage to the myocardium inevitably occurs during coronary artery surgery. However, the extent of the damage may be influenced by the anaesthetic technique used. The most sensitive and reliable marker of myocardial damage is currently thought to be troponin T. We conducted a prospective, randomised, single-blind pilot study to determine the baseline values of troponin T release after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in 30 patients randomly allocated to receive either propofol, isoflurane or isoflurane and high thoracic epidural analgesia. All other treatment was standardised. Patients undergoing emergency surgery and those with unstable angina were excluded. Blood samples were taken at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery for troponin T analysis. Mean troponin T levels at 24 h were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.41). These data allows appropriate power calculations for further, large-scale studies to determine the anaesthetic technique that provides optimal myocardial protection. To evaluate the effect of immediate postoperative extubation and postoperative ventilation after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery and to assess the role of epidural anesthesia.
                Randomized prospective study.
                University hospital, single institution.
                Patients (n = 90) scheduled for elective MIDCAB surgery.
                Patients were divided into 3 groups: 30 patients had general anesthesia and were extubated immediately after surgery (extubated group), 30 patients had a thoracic epidural and general anesthesia and were extubated immediately after surgery (epidural group), and 30 patients had general anesthesia and were ventilated after surgery (intubated group).
                With a similar cardiac index and less vasoactive medication, mean arterial blood pressure (77 plus minus 8 mmHg [mean plus minus SD]) and heart rate (76 plus minus 10 beats/min) in the epidural group were lower on the first postoperative day than in the intubated group (83 plus minus 10 mmHg and 81 plus minus 13 beats/min) and the extubated group (86 plus minus 10 mmHg and 83 plus minus 13) (p = 0.01 and p = 0.09). Oxygenation on the first postoperative day was better in the epidural group than in the intubated group (14.8 plus minus 3.8 kPa v 12.6 plus minus 3.2 kPa; p = 0.05). The epidural group and the extubated group had a transient respiratory acidosis postoperatively. Pain score in the epidural group was lower on the first postoperative day than in the extubated group with general anesthesia (3.0 plus minus 1.6 visual analog scale v 4.6 plus minus 1.8 visual analog scale; p = 0.01). Hospital stay was shorter in the epidural group than in the ventilated group (5.9 plus minus 2.4 days v 8.1 plus minus 5.3 days; p = 0.05)
                Immediate postoperative extubation in patients with thoracic epidural anesthesia and supplemental general anesthesia provides the most favorable clinical circumstances after MIDCAB surgery.
                Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. High thoracic epidural techniques are increasingly being used in patients scheduled for cardiothoracic surgery, including coronary artery bypass grafting. In the present study, we evaluated the acute effects of the epidural blockade on myocardial oxygen availability by means of tissue oxygen pressure monitoring in patients submitted for surgical revascularization.
                Fifty adult patients were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. After placement of an epidural catheter in thoracic space T1-T2, and under general anesthesia, 5-10 ml of either normal saline or 0.3% ropivacaine was injected through the epidural catheter. Hemodynamic parameters and the intramyocardial oxygen partial pressure were recorded before and 20 min after the epidural injection.
                There were no demographic or hemodynamic differences between the groups before intervention. A significant increase in intramyocardial partial oxygen pressure was observed in the ropivacaine group (14.6 mmHg vs. 25.1 mmHg, P < 0.0005).
                High thoracic epidural blockade with 5-10 ml of 0.3% ropivacaine increases myocardial oxygen availability in coronary diseased patients prior to surgical revascularization without deleterious hemodynamic disturbances. In this prospective study, we evaluated whether high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) or i.v. clonidine, in addition to general anesthesia, affects the cardiopulmonary bypass- and surgery-associated stress response and incidence of myocardial ischemia by their sympatholytic properties. Seventy patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) received general anesthesia with sufentanil and propofol. TEA was randomly induced before general anesthesia and continued during the study period in 25 (anesthetized dermatomes C6-T10). Another 24 patients received i.v. clonidine as a bolus of 4 microg/kg before the induction of general anesthesia. Clonidine was then infused at a rate of 1 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) during surgery and at 0.2-0.5 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) postoperatively. The remaining 21 patients underwent general anesthesia as performed routinely (control). Hemodynamics, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine, cortisol, the myocardial-specific contractile protein troponin T, and other cardiac enzymes were measured pre- and postoperatively. During the preoperative night and a follow-up of 48 h after surgery, five-lead electrocardiogram monitoring was used for ischemia detection. Both TEA and clonidine reduced the postoperative heart rate compared with the control group without jeopardizing cardiac output or perfusion pressure. Plasma epinephrine increased perioperatively in all groups but was significantly lower in the TEA group. Neither TEA nor clonidine affected the increase in plasma cortisol. The release of troponin T was attenuated by TEA. New ST elevations > or = 0.2 mV or new ST depression > or = 0.1 mV occurred in > 70% of the control patients but only in 40% of the clonidine group and in 50% of the TEA group. We conclude that TEA (but not i.v. clonidine) combined with general anesthesia for CABG demonstrates a beneficial effect on the perioperative stress response and postoperative myocardial ischemia. Implications: Thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia attenuates the myocardial sympathetic response to cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery. This is associated with decreased myocardial ischemia as determined by less release of troponin T. These findings may have an impact on the anesthetic management for coronary artery bypass grafting. The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the preferred conduit for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The authors investigated whether thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) can increase the blood flow of the ITA.
                A prospective randomized study.
                A university hospital.
                Patients with ischemic heart disease.
                Thirty patients scheduled for elective CABG surgery were randomized to receive either GA (n = 15) or GA + TEA (n = 15) after receiving institutional review board approval. Demographics showed similarity between the groups. The epidural catheter was inserted in the thoracic region between T1 and T5 levels. In the GA + TEA group, the patients received a 20-mg bolus of 0.25% bupivacaine through epidural catheters 1 hour before surgery, and this was followed by the infusion (20 mg/h) of 0.25% bupivacaine. In all patients, ITA free blood flow was measured before cardiopulmonary bypass and without the administration of any vasodilatory agent. A short segment of ITA was excised for histologic examination; immunocytochemistry analysis was performed using antirabbit polyclonal VEGF antibody, rabbit polyclonal inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) antibody, and adenosine anti-A2B receptor antibody. The immunoreactivity rates then were evaluated.
                The mean ITA free flow in the GA + TEA group was significantly higher than in the GA group (56.0 ± 9.0 mL/min v 39.6 ± 14 mL/min, p = 0.001). Immunostaining intensity in the sections after incubation with each primary antibody increased in the GA + TEA group compared with the GA group.
                The results of this study indicated that TEA increased ITA free blood flow significantly via increased VEGF, i-NOS, and adenosine-A2B receptor expressions. Therefore, the use of TEA as an adjunct to GA might be considered as an alternative to vasoactive agents for increasing ITA flow in CABG surgery.
                Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. The aim of the paper was to investigate whether thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) together with general anaesthesia (GA) play a role on apoptosis in humans before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), before aortic cross clamp (ACC) and at 15 min after ACC release (after ischemia and reperfusion).
                Eighty patients scheduled for elective CABG were randomized to receive either GA group (n: 40) or TEA+GA group (n: 40). The right atrial biopsy samples were taken before CPB, before ACC and at 15 min after ACC release from all patients. Human heart tissues were obtained from patients of TEA+GA group and GA group. The number of Bcl-2 positive cardiomyocytes was counted in multiple tissue sections of biopsies of 80 patients using light microscopy (magnification x 40) with an ocular micrometer system (Olympus).
                In the TEA+GA group, the Bcl-2 positive cardiomyocytes were distinctly statistically increased compared to the GA group (P<0.001). In addition, the intensity of the immunostaining was also increased in the TEA+GA compared with the GA group. The number of immunoreactive cardiomyocytes is as follows: before CPB, TEA+GA group 396+/-61, GA group 92+/-41, before ACC, TEA+GA group 333+/-47, GA group 94+/-18, at 15 min after ACC release, TEA+GA group 346+/-68.8, GA group 85+/-9.5. There were statistically significant differences between groups, (P<0.001). Between groups, at 4 h and at 24 h after the end of CPB, in the TEA+GA group, the CI was significantly higher than GA group respectively; (3.4+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 2.5+/-0.8 L/min/m(2); P<0.001), (3.8+/-1.1 L/min/m(2) vs 3.1+/-1.1 L/min/m(2); P<0.008). Within groups, at 4 and 24 h after the end of CPB, in the TEA+GA group, the CI was significantly higher than baseline values, respectively, (3.4+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs 2.4+/-0.7 L/min/m(2); P<0.001), (3.8+/-1.1 L/min/m(2) vs 2.4+/-0.7 L/min/m(2); P<0.001). Whereas no difference was found in the GA group respectively, (2.6+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs. 2.5+/-0.8 L/min/m(2); P>0.05), (2.6+/-0.8 L/min/m(2) vs. 3.1+/-1.1 L/min/m(2); P>0.05). The number of patients showing ventricular fibrillation (VF), atrial fibrillation or heart block after release of the ACC was 11 of 40 (27.5%) in the TEA+GA group versus 25 of 40 (62.5%) in the GA group. The number of patients showing VF after release of ACC was 9 out of 20 patients (22.5%) in the TEA+GA group which was significantly lower than in the GA group (21 of 40 patients 52.5%); (P<0.006). Sinus rhythm after release of ACC, in the TEA+GA group was observed in 29 of 40 patients (72.5%) and was significantly higher than in the GA group (15 of 40 patients 37.5%); (P<0.002).
                The result of the present study indicate that TEA plus GA in coronary surgery had preserved cardiac function during intraoperative and postoperative period by means of reduced apoptosis, improved hemodynamic function and reduced arrhythmias after release of the ACC. Perioperative thoracic epidural analgesia reduces stress response and pain scores and may improve outcome after cardiac surgery. This prospective, randomized trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia with patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine on postoperative hospital length of stay and patients' perception of their quality of recovery after cardiac surgery.
                One hundred thirteen patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to receive either combined thoracic epidural analgesia and general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia or general anesthesia followed by to patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine. Postoperative length of stay, time to eligibility for hospital discharge, pain and sedation scores, degree of ambulation, lung volumes, and organ morbidities were evaluated. A validated quality of recovery score was used to measure postoperative health status.
                Length of stay and time to eligibility for hospital discharge were similar between the groups. Study groups differed neither in postoperative global quality of recovery score nor in five dimensions of quality of recovery score. Time to extubation was shorter (P < 0.001) and consumption of anesthetics was lower in the patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia group. Pain relief, degree of sedation, ambulation, and lung volumes were similar between the study groups. There was a trend for lower incidences of pneumonia (P = 0.085) and confusion (P = 0.10) in the patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia group, whereas cardiac, renal, and neurologic outcomes were similar between the groups.
                In elective cardiac surgery, thoracic epidural analgesia combined with general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia offers no major advantage with respect to hospital length of stay, quality of recovery, or morbidity when compared with general anesthesia alone followed by to patient-controlled analgesia with intravenous morphine. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common complications in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. The goal of this study was to investigate the impact of high thoracic epidural anesthesia on reduction of perioperative arrhythmia in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
                We prospectively randomized 132 patients undergoing elective off-pump coronary bypass grafting using either general anesthesia (GA) (n = 66) or combined general and high thoracic epidural anesthesia (GA+TEA) (n = 66). Incidence of perioperative arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, serum epinephrine levels, heart rate variability, and hemodynamic parameters were compared between groups.
                The incidence of perioperative dysarrhythmias was significantly lower (P < .01) in the GA+TEA group (3%) than in the GA group (23.7%). Intraoperative sinus bradycardia occurred in 91% of the patients in the GA+TEA group versus 5.3% in the GA group. After induction of anesthesia, the mean systolic arterial pressure decreased significantly from 128 +/- 5 to 92 +/- 4 mm Hg and the heart rate from 74 +/- 9 to 52 +/- 8 beats . min(-1) in the GA+TEA group, whereas in the GA group no significant hemodynamic changes were observed (P < .001). Serum epinephrine levels were significantly lower in the GA+TEA group (69 +/- 11 to 35 +/- 7 ng/dL) than in the GA group (72 +/- 9 to 70 +/- 9 ng/dL).
                In our study cohort, high thoracic epidural anesthesia in combination with general anesthesia reduced significantly the incidence of perioperative arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, we observed a significant reduction of epinephrine serum levels in this patient group. The results of this study support a combination of general anesthesia with thoracic epidural anesthesia as a multidisciplinary approach, which may lead to a better patient outcome, improvement of early analgesia, and reduction of perioperative complications in off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures. The potential risks of thoracic epidural anesthesia during off-pump coronary artery bypass procedures should not be underestimated. Postoperative pain may be severe after coronary artery bypass surgery. High thoracic epidural analgesia (HTEA) provides intense analgesia.
                Eighty patients were randomized to HTEA or intravenous morphine analgesia (control). Patients received coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass. Pain was measured by visual analogue scale 0 to 10. Psychologic morbidity, intraoperative hemodynamics, ventricular function, lung function, and physiotherapy cooperation were also assessed. On the third postoperative day HTEA and morphine were ceased and only oral medications were used. Acetaminophen, indomethacin, and tramadol were allowed as supplemental analgesics in both groups.
                The primary endpoint of pain scores was significantly less with HTEA on postoperative days 1 and 2 at rest, 0.02 +/- 0.2 versus 0.8 +/- 1.8 (p = 0.008) and 0.1 +/- 0.4 versus 1.2 +/- 2.7 (p = 0.022), respectively, and with coughing 1.2 +/- 1.7 versus 4.4 +/- 3.1 (p < 0.001) and 1.5 +/- 2.0 versus 3.6 +/- 3.1 (p = 0.001), respectively. When HTEA and morphine were ceased on day 3, there were no significant differences. The secondary endpoints of postoperative depression (p = 0.033) and posttraumatic stress subscales (p = 0.021) of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory were lower with HTEA. Extubation occurred earlier with HTEA, 2.6 versus 5.4 hours (p < 0.001). HTEA showed improved physiotherapy cooperation (p < 0.001), arterial oxygen tension (p = 0.041), and peak expiratory flow rate (p = 0.001). Mean arterial pressure was lower with HTEA (p = 0.036), otherwise there were no differences in intraoperative hemodynamics or ventricular function.
                Epidural analgesia reduces pain after coronary operation and is associated with improved physiotherapy cooperation, earlier extubation, and reduced risk of depression and posttraumatic stress. The effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, myocardial blood flow and metabolism, and central hemodynamics were studied in 20 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In 10 of the patients, TEA (T1-5 block) was used as an adjunct to a standardized fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia. Hemodynamic measurements and blood sampling were performed after induction of anesthesia but prior to skin incision and after sternotomy. Assessment of total and cardiac sympathetic activity was performed by means of the norepinephrine kinetic approach. Prior to surgery, mean arterial pressure (MAP), great cardiac vein flow (GCVF), and regional myocardial oxygen consumption (Reg-MVO2) were lower in the TEA group compared to the control group. During sternotomy there was a pronounced increase in cardiac norepinephrine spillover, MAP, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), GCVF, and Reg-MVO2 in the control group. These changes were clearly attenuated in the TEA group. None of the patients in the TEA group had metabolic (lactate) or electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemia. Three patients in the control group had indices of myocardial ischemia prior to and/or during surgery. We conclude that TEA attenuates the surgically mediated sympathetic stress response to sternotomy, thereby preventing the increase in myocardial oxygen demand in the pre-bypass period without jeopardizing myocardial perfusion. To measure predefined clinical effects resulting from the use of epidural anesthesia and analgesia during and after cardiac surgery.
                Prospective, randomized, nonblinded clinical trial.
                Single academic medical center.
                Sixty patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
                Sixty participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 study groups: (1) A control group received general anesthesia during surgery and intravenous opiate analgesia after surgery. (2) A treatment group received thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia during surgery and epidural analgesia for the first 24 postoperative hours.
                Primary study measurements were planned to evaluate recovery from surgery and included time to tracheal extubation, duration of postoperative intensive care unit stay, duration of postoperative hospitalization, pain control, urinary free cortisol, cardiopulmonary complication rate, and total hospital charges. No statistically significant differences between the 2 study groups were found in these main measurements.
                The clinical course of elective cardiac surgical patients who receive epidural anesthesia during surgery and epidural analgesia after surgery is comparable to that of patients managed with general anesthesia alone during surgery followed by parenteral opiate analgesia after surgery.
                Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved. The addition of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) to general anesthesia (GA) during cardiac surgery may have a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes. TEA in cardiac surgery, however, is controversial because the insertion of an epidural catheter in patients requiring full heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass may lead to an epidural hematoma. The clinical effects of fast-track GA plus TEA were compared with those of with fast-track GA alone.
                A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 654 elective cardiac surgical patients who were randomly assigned to combined GA and TEA versus GA alone. Follow-up was at 30 days and 1 yr after surgery. The primary endpoint was 30-day survival free from myocardial infarction, pulmonary complications, renal failure, and stroke.
                Thirty-day survival free from myocardial infarction, pulmonary complications, renal failure, and stroke was 85.2% in the TEA group and 89.7% in the GA group (P = 0.23). At 1 yr follow-up, survival free from myocardial infarction, pulmonary complications, renal failure, and stroke was 84.6% in the TEA group and 87.2% in the GA group (P = 0.42). Postoperative pain scores were low in both groups.
                This study was unable to demonstrate a clinically relevant benefit of TEA on the frequency of major complications after elective cardiac surgery, compared with fast-track cardiac anesthesia without epidural anesthesia. Given the potentially devastating complications of an epidural hematoma after insertion of an epidural catheter, it is questionable whether this procedure should be applied routinely in cardiac surgical patients who require full heparinization. High thoracic epidural anesthesia/analgesia (HTEA) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery may have myocardial protective effects. In this prospective randomized controlled study, we investigated the effect of HTEA for elective CABG surgery on the release of troponin I, time to tracheal extubation, and analgesia. One-hundred-twenty patients were randomized to a general anesthesia (GA) group or a GA plus HTEA group. The GA group received fentanyl (7-15 microg/kg) and a morphine infusion. The HTEA group received fentanyl (5-7 microg/kg) and an epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% and fentanyl 2 microg/mL until postoperative Day 3. There were no differences in troponin I levels between study groups. The time to tracheal extubation [median (interquartile range)] in the HTEA group was 15 min (10-320 min), compared with 430 min (284-590 min) in the GA group (P < 0.0001). Analgesia was improved in the HTEA group compared with the GA group. Mean arterial blood pressure poststernotomy and systemic vascular resistance in the intensive care unit were lower in the HTEA group. We conclude that HTEA for CABG surgery had no effect on troponin release but improved postoperative analgesia and was associated with a reduced time to extubation. The aim of this two-center, open, randomized, controlled trial was to evaluate the impact of thoracic epidural anesthesia on early clinical outcomes in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
                Two hundred and twenty-six patients were randomized to either general anesthesia plus epidural (GAE) (n = 109) or general anesthesia only (GA) (n = 117). The primary outcome was length of postoperative hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were: arrhythmia, inotropic support, intubation time, perioperative myocardial infarction, neurologic events, intensive care stay, pain scores, and analgesia requirement.
                Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. One patient died in the GAE group. Median postoperative stay was significantly reduced in the GAE, compared with the GA, group (5 days, interquartile range [5-6] vs. 6 days, interquartile range [5-7], hazard ratio = 1.39, 95% CI [1.06-1.82]; P = 0.017). The incidence of arrhythmias and the median intubation time were both significantly lower in the GAE, compared with the GA, group (odds ratio = 0.41, 95% CI [0.22-0.78], P = 0.006 and hazard ratio = 1.73, 95% CI [1.31-2.27], P < 0.001, respectively). Patients in the GAE group were more likely to need vasoconstrictors intraoperatively than in the GA group (odds ratio = 2.50, 95% CI [1.22-5.12]; P = 0.012). The GAE, compared with GA, group reported significantly lower levels of impairment for all pain domains and reduced morphine usage (odds ratio = 0.07, 95% CI [0.03-0.17]; P < 0.001).
                In patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery, the addition of thoracic epidural to general anesthesia significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative arrhythmias and improves pain control and overall quality of recovery, allowing earlier extubation and hospital discharge. We have investigated the hormonal and metabolic effects of thoracic extradural analgesia with bupivacaine in addition to sufentanil 20 micrograms kg-1 in nine patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. A control group received general anaesthesia alone. The catecholamine response was inhibited for 24 h after surgery in patients who had received extradural analgesia, and the cortisol response was suppressed during cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood glucose values were unchanged until 24 h after surgery in the extradural group. There were no significant differences in cardiac index between the two groups of patients, although heart rate and mean arterial pressure decreased before surgery in patients who received extradural analgesia. The benefits of this technique in terms of a reduction in postoperative morbidity remain to be determined. Improvements in analgesia after major surgery may allow a more rapid recovery and shorter hospital stay. We performed a prospective randomized trial to study the effects of epidural analgesia on the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery. The anesthetic technique and postoperative mobilization were altered to facilitate early intensive care discharge and hospital discharge. Fifty patients received high (T1 to T4) thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) with ropivacaine 1% (4-mL bolus, 3-5 mL/h infusion), with fentanyl (100-microg bolus, 15-25 microg/h infusion) and a propofol infusion (6 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Another 50 patients (the General Anesthesia group) received fentanyl 15 microg/kg and propofol (5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1)), followed by IV morphine patient-controlled analgesia. The TEA group had lower visual analog scores with coughing postextubation (median, 0 vs 26 mm; P < 0.0001) and were extubated earlier (median hours [interquartile range], 3.2 [2.1-4.6] vs 6.7 [3.3-13.2]; P < 0.0001). More than half of all patients were discharged home on Postoperative Day 4 (24%) or 5 (33%), but there was no difference in the length of stay between the TEA group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [5-6]) and the General Anesthesia group (median [interquartile range], Day 5 [4-7]). There were no differences in postoperative spirometry or chest radiograph changes or in markers for postoperative myocardial ischemia or infarction. No significant TEA-related complications occurred. In summary, TEA provided better analgesia and allowed earlier tracheal extubation but did not reduce the length of hospital stay after coronary artery surgery.
                We found that epidural analgesia was more effective than IV morphine for cardiac surgery. Epidural anesthesia also allowed earlier weaning from mechanical ventilation, but it did not affect hospital discharge time. To determine the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) relationships, atelectasis, and oxygenation before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
                Prospective, controlled, unblinded, randomized trial.
                Cardiothoracic clinic at a major university referral center.
                Twenty-eight patients undergoing elective CABG.
                Perioperative and postoperative TEA was added to general anesthesia (GA) in 14 patients, and 14 patients receiving GA alone served as controls.
                VA/Q relationships were measured by the multiple inert gas elimination technique, and, 20 hours postoperatively, atelectasis was assessed by computerized tomographic scans. Arterial and mixed venous blood gases and hemodynamic variables were measured by standard techniques. TEA per se caused no change in shunt, VA/Q matching, or oxygenation. Induction of GA in the control group and induction of TEA caused similar reductions in mean arterial pressure. The TEA patients needed less morphine analgesia postoperatively and were extubated earlier. Extubation caused significant improvement in VA/Q matching. On the first postoperative day, a slight reduction in PaCO2 was seen in the TEA group, but no differences in shunt, VA/Q matching, or oxygenation compared with the GA group. Both groups showed extensive bilateral atelectasis.
                TEA can reduce respirator time and the need for morphine analgesics after CABG without negative effects on VA/Q matching, oxygenation, or atelectasis formation. We performed an open, prospective, randomized, controlled study of the incidence of major organ complications in 420 patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass graft surgery with or without thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia (TEA). All patients received a standardized general anesthetic. Group TEA received TEA for 96 h. Group GA (general anesthesia) received narcotic analgesia for 72 h. Both groups received supplementary oral analgesia. Twelve patients were excluded-eight in Group TEA and four in Group GA-because of incomplete data collection. New supraventricular arrhythmias occurred in 21 of 206 patients (10.2%) in Group TEA compared with 45 of 202 patients (22.3%) in Group GA (P = 0.0012). Pulmonary function (maximal inspiratory lung volume) was better in Group TEA in a subset of 93 patients (P < 0.0001). Extubation was achieved earlier (P < 0.0001) and with significantly fewer lower respiratory tract infections in Group TEA (TEA = 31 of 206, GA = 59 of 202; P = 0.0007). There were significantly fewer patients with acute confusion (GA = 11 of 202, TEA = 3 of 206; P = 0.031) and acute renal failure (GA = 14 of 202, TEA = 4 of 206; P = 0.016) in the TEA group. The incidence of stroke was insignificantly less in the TEA group (GA = 6 of 202, TEA = 2 of 206; P = 0.17). There were no neurologic complications associated with the use of TEA. We conclude that continuous TEA significantly improves the quality of recovery after coronary artery bypass graft surgery compared with conventional narcotic analgesia. Perioperative Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is an important part of a multimodal approach to improve analgesia and patient outcome after cardiac and thoracic surgery. This is particularly important for obese patients undergoing off pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB). We conducted a randomized clinical trial at tertiary care cardiac institute to compare the effect of TEA and conventional opioid based analgesia on perioperative lung functions and pain scores in obese patients undergoing OPCAB. Sixty obese patients with body mass index >30 kg/m2 for elective OPCAB were randomized into two groups (n=30 each). Patients in both the groups received general anesthesia but in group 1, TEA was also administered. We performed spirometry as preoperative assessment and at six hours, 24 hours, second, third, fourth and fifth day after extubation, along with arterial blood gases analysis. Visual analogue scale at rest and on coughing was recorded to assess the degree of analgesia. The other parameters observed were: time to endotracheal extubation, oxygen withdrawal time and intensive care unit length of stay. On statistical analysis there was a significant difference in Vital Capacity at six hours, 24 hours, second and third day postextubation. Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second followed the same pattern for first four postoperative days and peak expiratory flow rate remained statistically high till second postoperative day. ABG values and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were statistically higher in the study group up to five days. Visual analogue scale at rest and on coughing was significantly lower till fourth and third postoperative day respectively. Tracheal extubation time, oxygen withdrawal time and ICU stay were significantly less in group 1. The use of TEA resulted in better analgesia, early tracheal extubation and shorter ICU stay and should be considered for obese patients undergoing OPCAB. This study was designed to assess the effects of a perioperative dosing regimen of amiodarone administration, high thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA), or a combination of the 2 regimens on atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
                The study was prospective, controlled, and randomized and was performed in a tertiary health care center associated with a university.
                One hundred sixty-three patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
                In this 2 x 2 factorial-designed study the patients were randomized to 1 of 4 regimens in which group E had perioperative TEA, group E+A had TEA and amiodarone, group A had amiodarone, and group C served as control. The epidural catheter was inserted at T1-3 the day before surgery. TEA groups received TEA for 96 hours. The amiodarone regimen consisted of a single loading dose of 1,800 mg of amiodarone orally. Intravenous infusion of amiodarone was started after induction of anesthesia and was administered at 900 mg over 24 hours for the subsequent 3 days.
                AF was documented using Holter monitoring. In group E 22 of 44 (50%), in group E+A 10 of 35 (28.6%), in group A 10 of 36 (27.8%), and in the control group 20 of 48 (41.7%) patients developed AF (odds ratio amiodarone/nonamiodarone 0.47 [0.24-0.90]; P = 0.02).
                The perioperative amiodarone regimen used in this study was effective in reducing the incidence of AF after CABG while TEA was not.