An evaluation of patient-controlled analgesia in adults undergoing cardiac surgery

To evaluate the effectiveness of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in postoperative cardiac surgery patients.

Prospective evaluation.

Ten patients who had undergone coronary artery vein grafting.

A cardiac intensive care unit in a private clinic in London, UK.

Pain scores, level of sedation and amount of analgesia and sedation required were recorded, together with each patient's perception of PCA.

Patients had very little recall of their time in the ICU and none was aware of pain during this period. Patients liked managing their own pain.

PCA is an effective means of controlling postoperative pain in cardiac surgery patients.