Comparison of sufentanil-oxygen and fentanyl-oxygen anaesthesia for coronary artery bypass grafting

Haemodynamic variables were compared in 40 adults undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting during anaesthesia induced with either sufentanil 5 micrograms kg-1 or fentanyl 25 micrograms kg-1 in combination with pancuronium 0.1 mg kg-1. Further doses of sufentanil 2.5 micrograms kg-1 or fentanyl 12.5 micrograms kg-1 were given before skin incision and again before sternotomy. All patients were receiving beta-adrenoceptor blocking therapy. Satisfactory induction of anaesthesia was produced with both drugs and opioid supplementation prevented any marked haemodynamic response to skin incision and to sternotomy. Following induction of anaesthesia, sufentanil produced the greater decrease in mean arterial pressure and left ventricular stroke work index which continued throughout the study. This suggests that, in the doses used in this study, sufentanil is preferable to fentanyl in patients with coronary artery disease.