Postoperative analgosedation with dexmedetomidine in combination with paracetamol in pediatric cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND: Although the principles of postoperative multimodal analgesia have been discussed in several articles, this issue remains insufficiently studied in pediatric cardiac surgery. AIM: To increase the effectiveness of postoperative analgosedation in children after heart surgery by combining intravenous dexmedetomidine and paracetamol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomized, controlled study (n = 65, 24 yr). Elective heart surgeries were performed in children with congenital heart defects, such as ventricular and/or interatrial septal defect and tetralogy of Fallot, under cardiopulmonary bypass and general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of postoperative analgesia: group 1, main (n = 35): 30 min after surgery, infusion of dexmedetomidine with a loading dose of 1.0 g/kg/h or 10 min, then infusion of 0.8 g/kg/h during the day against the background of planned analgesia with paracetamol (15 mg/kg, intravenously) 2 h after surgery and then every 8 h during the day; group 2, comparisons (n = 30), 0.3 mg/kg morphine, intramuscularly. The effectiveness of postoperative analgosedation in children was analyzed using the Richmond scale and FLACC + hemodynamics, acid-base balance, blood gases, cortisol, glucose, and blood lactate. RESULTS: Sufficient stabilization of the main hemodynamics and respiratory indicators confirmed the adequacy of postoperative analgosedation in group 1 patients. There was a 14% drop in heart rate, specific peripheral resistance, and mean arterial pressure. There was no respiratory depression observed, and the decrease in blood pressure and heart rate was hemodynamically modest. Postoperative stability of blood lactate, glucose, and cortisol levels demonstrated the absence of major metabolic diseases and emotional and physical stress in the main group of children. The transfer of 74.3% of the first group's patients to the specialized department 42.3 5.5 h after the procedure decreased costs and strain on the intensive care unit staff. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine combined with paracetamol provides an adequate level of sedation, suppresses extubation irritations, prevents psychomotor agitation, and provides sufficient analgesia.