Effect of remifentanil infusion rate on stress response to the pre-bypass phase of paediatric cardiac surgery

Background. Opioids are used routinely to eliminate the stressresponse in the pre-bypass phase of paediatric cardiac surgery.Remifentanil is a unique opioid allowing a rapidly titratableeffect. No data are available regarding a suitable remifentanildose regimen for obtunding stress and cardiovascular responsesto such surgery. Methods. We recruited 49 infants and children under 5 yr oldwho were randomized to receive one of four remifentanil infusionrates (0.25, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 µg kg^–1 min^–1).Blood samples were obtained at induction, pre-surgery, 5 minafter opening the chest, and immediately pre-bypass. Whole bloodglucose was measured at all time points while cortisol and neuropeptideY (NPY) were measured in the first and last samples. Heart rateand arterial pressure were also recorded. Results. There was a significant increase in whole blood glucose5 min after opening the chest and pre-bypass (P=0.009, P=0.002)in patients receiving remifentanil 0.25 µg kg^–1min^–1, but not in those receiving higher doses. Increasedremifentanil dosage was associated with reduced plasma cortisolduring surgery (P<0.001). Baseline NPY showed considerablevariation and there was no association between pre-bypass NPYand remifentanil dose. There was a significantly higher heartrate at the pre-bypass stage of surgery in the remifentanil0.25 µg kg^–1 min^–1 group compared with higherdoses (P=0.0006). Four out of five neonates with complex cardiacconditions showed severe bradycardia associated with remifentanil. Conclusions. In infants and children under 5 yr, remifentanilinfusions of 1.0 µg kg^–1 min^–1 and greatercan suppress the glucose increase and tachycardia associatedwith the pre-bypass phase of cardiac surgery, while 0.25 µgkg^–1 min^–1 does not. Remifentanil should be usedwith caution in neonates with complex congenital heart disease. Br J Anaesth 2004; 92: 187–94