• J Boldt, E Thaler, A Lehmann, M Papsdorf, and F Isgro.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, Germany.
• J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. 1998 Dec 1; 12 (6): 654658654-8.

ObjectiveTo compare standard nurse-based pain therapy with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) regimen.DesignProspective, randomized study.SettingSingle-institutional, clinical investigation in an urban, university-affiliated hospital.ParticipantsSixty patients undergoing elective first-time cardiac surgery were included.InterventionsIn 30 patients, a standard analgesic regimen was used, and in 30 patients, a PCA regimen was used. The perioperative and postoperative management was similar for all patients.Measurements And Main ResultsDegree of sedation, satisfaction, and pain (by visual analog scale [VAS]) was assessed within the first 3 postoperative days. Vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) were measured using a portable spirometry system. Cortisol and troponin T (TnT) plasma levels were also measured. The expectation of pain was similar in both groups, and the postoperative pain score was significantly lower in the PCA than in the standard group throughout the study period. Significantly more piritramid was used in the PCA (total, 75.6 +/- 33.4 mg) than in the standard group (total, 20.1 +/- 31.9 mg). VC and FEV1 were significantly lower in the standard group compared with the PCA patients. Cortisol and TnT plasma levels were similar in both groups. Frequency of side effects were similar for both groups.ConclusionBecause of the beneficial effects with regard to degree of pain and satisfaction, pain management using PCA systems can be recommended for cardiac surgery patients. It appears to be superior to standard nurse-based pain therapy.

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