Myocardial metabolism and haemodynamic responses during high-dose fentanyl anaesthesia for coronary patients

Fentanyl (mean dose 109 micrograms X kg-1) and oxygen were given to ten patients having coronary vein grafts. Serial studies were done before, during and after operation, of central and mean arterial pressures (MAP), cardiac index (CI) and coronary sinus flow (CBF) by thermodilution, myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and lactate extraction (MLE). On induction CI and stroke work index decreased, but heart rate and MAP were unchanged as systemic resistance increased. Mean MAP and heart rate remained at the awake levels. Mean CBF remained unchanged along with stable MAP and coronary resistance. Oxygen content of CS blood increased on induction and remained elevated until the incision; it was above the awake level early postoperatively. MVO2 was low normal when the patients were awake and remained so. Normal MLE continued with a few exceptions. High-dose fentanyl did not uniformly abolish autonomic reflexes. Heavy premedication, complete beta adrenergic blockade and a high initial doses of fentanyl plus its continued infusion, aided in retaining a hypodynamic circulation and myocardial oxygenation.