Comparison of the Intraoperative Hemodynamic Effects of Remifentanil and Fentanyl in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Anesthesia

Objective: The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare the hemodynamic effects of remifentanil and fentanyl, which are used as intraoperative analgesics in pediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: Patients were divided into two groups as those who received continuous intravenous remifentanil infusion (Group R) or intermittent intravenous fentanyl for intraoperative analgesia (Group F). These groups were compared in terms of hemodynamic characteristics and intraoperative complications. Results: The most common congenital cardiac pathology observed in the patients included in the study was ventricular septal defects (32%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 21 (40%) patients, and ventricular fibrillation was the most common complication (n=6; 11.5%). When the patients in both groups were compared in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic indicators, the mean arterial pressure values of the patients in Group R after sternotomy were significantly lower than those of the patients in Group F (p=0.034). No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of other hemodynamic indicators. When the two groups were compared in terms of intraoperative complications, the difference was not statistically significant although the number of patients with complications was higher in Group F (p=0.1). Conclusion: As a result of this study, it was found that remifentanil was as effective as fentanyl in maintaining intraoperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery.