Effect of aortic root infusion of sufentanil on ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of aortic root infusion of sufentanil on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in patients undergoing elective mitral valve replacement (MVR) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, clinical study.

SETTING: A university-affiliated teaching hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-three adult patients undergoing elective MVR with CPB.

INTERVENTIONS: Bolus infusions of sufentanil (0.2 μg/kg, n = 24) or normal saline (n = 29) were administered through the aortic root cardioplegia perfusion catheter 5 minutes before aortic unclamping.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of CK-MB and cTnI and variables including heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and 24-hour postoperative inotropic scores were recorded. Plasma concentrations of CK-MB and cTnI were significantly lower 4 and 8 hours after aortic unclamping in the sufentanil postconditioning group compared to control (p<0.05). Inotropic drug use, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of ICU and hospital stays were reduced significantly in the sufentanil postconditioning group compared to control (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that sufentanil can attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing elective MVR with CPB.