American journal of hospital pharmacy
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Review Comparative Study
Effect of analgesic treatment on the physiological consequences of acute pain.
Physiological responses to acute pain are described, and the effects of different analgesic techniques on these responses are discussed. The body's response to acute pain can cause adverse physiological effects. Pain can impede the return of normal pulmonary function, modify certain aspects of the stress response to injury, and alter hemodynamic values and cardiovascular function. ⋯ Adequate analgesia through the use of local anesthetics and narcotics postoperatively generally results in improved cardiovascular function, decreased pulmonary morbidity and mortality, earlier ambulation, and decreased likelihood of deep vein thrombosis. Some data suggest that improved patient outcome occurs with adequate analgesia. Block of afferent and efferent neural pathways by local anesthetics seems to be the most effective analgesic modality in lessening the physiologic response to pain and injury.