Preemptive parenteral paracetamol analgesia in off-pump coronary artery bypass

Background NSAIDs are routinely used for pain control in cardiac surgery; however, these drugs are burdened by side effects. Paracetamol is believed to be lacking in such side effects. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of preemptive intravenous paracetamol analgesia on opioid sparing in off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB). Materials and Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study. A total of 80 patients scheduled for elective OPCAB were randomly allocated into two groups: in group I (the control group) 40 patients received intravenous infusion of 100 ml of normal saline solution, whereas in group II (the paracetamol study group) 40 patients received intravenous infusion of 1 g of the study drug in 100 ml solution bag. Solution bags were prepared by the pharmacy department, and treating teams were blinded to the infused solution until end of study. Hemodynamic variables and sufentanil usage were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results The two groups were comparable regarding their demographic and operative data. Hemodynamic variables showed nonsignificant differences between the two studied groups. Total intraoperative consumption of sufentanil was comparable between the two groups with insignificant difference. Postoperatively, extubation time and length of ICU stay were statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion Preemptive administration of parenteral paracetamol had a limited opioid-sparing effect during intraoperative management of cardiac cases undergoing OPCAB.