Hemodynamic effects of sufentanil/metocurine versus sufentanil/pancuronium in patients undergoing coronary artery surgery

ABSTRACT

Thirty-two patients undergoing coronary artery surgery who had coronary artery disease without severe ventricular impairment were studied. Seventeen (Group 1) received sufentanil and pancuronium; 15 (Group 2) received sufentanil and metocurine. Hemodynamic variables were measured before induction (control), 3 minutes after intubation, 3 minutes after incision, 3 minutes after sternotomy, and immediately before cannulation. The heart rate in Group 1 was significantly increased from control values at all points (p < 0.05). Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure did not change significantly from control in either group. Cardiac output in Group 1 was significantly higher than control at the postintubation, postincision, and poststeraotomy times of measurement (p < 0.01), and higher than Group 2 at the postincision and poststeraotomy times of measurement. In Group 2, the cardiac output did not change significantly from control. There was no myocardial depression in either group, as evidenced by maintained pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac output.