The Efficacy of Intrathecal Bupivacaine in Combination with General Anesthesia Versus General Anesthesia Alone on Time to Extubation in Patients With Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery

Abstract

Background: Immediate tracheal extubation during postoperative period has some economic reasons, and the recent tendency in cardiac surgery has been to extubate patients immediate after operation. Conversely, early extubation may not be in every respect benign and is not applicable in certain patients. Objective: We compared the use of intrathecal bupivacaine in combination with general anesthesia to general anesthesia alone in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery for its impact on time to extubation. Materials and Methods: In this case control double blind study we compared 34 patients in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahwaz, Iran, from May 2011 to September 2011.The patients were randomly assigned to receive general anesthesia with prior administration of intrathecal bupivacaine 0.5% at a dosage of 20 mg (bupivacaine or case group n = 17) or general anesthesia alone (control group n = 17) according to a simple computer-generated list. Results: Mean extubation time in bupivacaine group was213.00 ± 3.06 (3h and 33m) and in control group was 257.12 ± 4.49 minutes (4h and 17m).the difference between two groups was significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Intrathecal bupivacaine offers promise as a useful adjunct in reducing postoperative time to extubation in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.