Fast-Track Management in Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Dexmedetomidine Provides Rapid Extubation and...

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α-2 agonist with many desirable effects including analgesia, improvement of hemodynamic stability, and potential myocardial and renal protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DEX on patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) grafting with regard to less pain medication, earlier extubation, faster transfer to normal ward, and cardiac protection.

From January 2012 to March 2015, 464 patients receiving OPCAB were included for retrospective analysis. After propensity matching (1:1), two groups (DEX vs. propofol, n = 129) could be compared. Continuous and categorical variables were reported as mean ± standard deviation or percentages, and compared with the chi-square test and the Mann-Whitney's test, respectively.

In the DEX group, less use of pain medication in the initial phase at intensive care unit was observed. During the first 2 hours, DEX patients received more nicomorphine (DEX 8 ± 3.2 mg vs. propofol 6 ± 4 mg, p < 0.001), while in the following 2 hours, the pain medication was significantly reduced (DEX 3.2 ± 2.8 mg vs. propofol 4.7 ± 3.3 mg, p < 0.001). Remifentanil was stopped considerably earlier (DEX 238 ± 209 minutes vs. propofol 353 ± 266 minutes, p < 0.001). DEX led to earlier extubation (DEX 208 ± 106 minutes vs. propofol 307 ± 230 minutes, p < 0.001) and less postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) (p = 0.01).

Early postoperative DEX application supports the fast-track strategy in patients after OPCAB through enabling rapid extubation, effective pain control, and reduced occurrence of new-onset AF. We are confident to give precedence to DEX over propofol as the new routine medication during postoperative patient transfer.