Sedation and analgesia after pediatric cardiac surgery

Sedation and analgesia following pediatric cardiac surgery is of paramount importance.Individualized sedation and analgesia strategies starting in the operative theater and continuingin the postoperative period need to be recognized as an important aspect of perioperativecare. This aims toward speeding recovery, minimizing PICU length of stay, and avoiding the development of postsurgical stress syndrome. Patient-tailored protocols should be implemented based on validated pain/sedation scores. Understanding the pharmacological aspects and side effects of various sedative/analgesic drugs, as well as continuous dose adjustment according to follow-up scoring system and variable patient hemodynamic state and response, is mandatory.