Effectiveness of intravenous administration of a combination of sufentanil and esketamine on post-cardiac surgery pain management and depression: a randomized controlled trial.
Cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy – April 30, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
A breakthrough in post-cardiac surgery care shows that combining sufentanil with esketamine not only provides superior pain management but also significantly reduces depression symptoms. Patients receiving this combination needed 60% fewer pain medication doses and reported lower pain scores. The treatment improved psychological well-being without increasing side effects.
Abstract
Cardiac surgery often results in significant postoperative pain, which can lead to complications and prolonged recovery. Pain and depression are closely linked, with effective pain management potentially reducing the risk of depression. Combining sufentanil, an opioid, with esketamine, a medication with both analgesic and antidepressant effects, may improve pain control and mood in postoperative patients. While promising in other surgeries, their effects in cardiac surgery remain unclear. This study explores how sufentanil and esketamine work together to manage pain and reduce depression after cardiac surgery. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted from January 2021 to December 2023, involving 104 patients who underwent cardiac surgery. Patients [aged 61-64 years, body mass index (BMI) 0.05) (T1 =4 h, T2 =8 h, T3 =24 h, T4 =48 h post-surgery). Oxygen saturation showed no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). Adverse reactions occurred in 13.46% of the experimental group and 19.23% of the control group, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were uniformly high on a five-point scale (both groups had median =5). The combined administration of sufentanil and esketamine effectively managed pain and significantly reduced depressive symptoms in post-cardiac surgery patients. The experimental group demonstrated reduced PCIA usage and improved clinical indicators. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing postoperative recovery and addressing both pain management and psychological well-being. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; identifier: ChiCTR2400092428.