Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of Remifentanil in High-Risk Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Remifentanil is a potent, ultra-short-acting opioid often used for its rapid onset and offset during anesthesia. Its role in high-risk cardiac surgery, however, remains a topic of debate due to concerns over hemodynamic stability and postoperative recovery. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of remifentanil in patients undergoing high-risk cardiac surgery, comparing it with conventional opioid agents such as fentanyl. The study assesses key outcomes, including intraoperative hemodynamic fluctuations, postoperative pain control, recovery time, and the incidence of opioid-related side effects. Our results indicate that remifentanil is associated with stable hemodynamics, a lower incidence of postoperative pain, and faster extubation times compared to fentanyl. Additionally, remifentanil use was linked to a reduced need for postoperative opioid rescue medication. These findings suggest that remifentanil may offer advantages in terms of intraoperative stability and early recovery in high-risk cardiac surgery patients.