Comparison of Fentanyl, Sufentanil, and Alfentanil Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Valvular Heart Surgery

60 patients (three groups of 20) undergoing valve replacement surgery (including patients with mitral valve disease and aortic valve disease)

Anesthesia induction with sufentanil (15 micrograms/kg, plus 5 micrograms/kg before skin incision) or alfentanil (125 micrograms/kg, plus continuous infusion at 0.5 mg/kg/hr). All patients received pancuronium (8 mg) and oxygen/air (FIO2 = 0.5).

Anesthesia induction with fentanyl (75 micrograms/kg, plus 25 micrograms/kg before skin incision). All patients received pancuronium (8 mg) and oxygen/air (FIO2 = 0.5).

Hemodynamic responses to anesthesia and surgery (mean arterial blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance)surrogate