Comparison of remifentanil and fentanyl in anaesthesia for elective cardioversion.

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Maltepe F., Kocaayan E., Ugurlu B. S., Akdeniz B., Guneri S.

Anaesthesia and intensive care, vol.34, no.3, pp.353-7, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/0310057x0603400309
  • Journal Name: Anaesthesia and intensive care
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.353-7
  • Keywords: remifentanil, fentanyl, cardioversion, propofol, sedation, recovery, PROPOFOL, MIDAZOLAM, SEDATION, CONSCIOUSNESS, ETOMIDATE
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was designed to compare the recovery characteristics of remifentanil and fentanyl in combination with propofol for direct current cardioversion. Patients undergoing elective cardioversion received either intravenous fentanyl 1 mu g/kg (n=33) or remifentanil 0.25 mu g/kg (n=30) and propofol was titrated to a Ramsay sedation score of 5 by slow intravenous injection. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures decreased significantly following sedation in both groups but did not show a significant difference between the groups. Time to answer a question (306 +/- 83 vs 383 +/- 131s, mean +/- SD, P=0.014) and time to sit up (412 +/- 90 vs 511 +/- 126s, P=0.002) were significantly shorter in the remifentanil group compared to the fentanyl group. Side-effects and patient discomfort were similar for both groups. Remifentanil can be used as a suitable supplement to propofol for direct current cardioversion and may provide a faster recovery profile than fentanyl.