A randomized controlled study of the effect of perioperative pregabalin in acute and chronic pain in postoperative patients of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the efficacy of perioperative pregabalin in reducing acute and chronic postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG). Material and Methods: A total of 150 patients, aged 30–70 years underwent elective OPCABG and were randomized into two groups of 75. Patients in Group P received 150 mg of pregabalin 2 h before induction of anesthesia and were given pregabalin 75 mg every 12 h for two postoperative days. Patients in Group C received a placebo at similar time intervals. Recorded outcome variables were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during deep breathing from the postoperative period until 3 months after hospital discharge. The time to extubation, hemodynamic parameters, and episodes of breakthrough pain till 48 h were also noted. Results: VAS during rest and on deep breathing were significantly less in group P compared with group C from extubation up to 48 h postoperative. The difference in VAS at rest between both the groups was also significant at 1 month (0.32 ± 0.46 vs. 0.56 ± 0.49, P = 0.003) but was insignificant at 3 months (0.10 ± 0.31 vs. 0.13 ± 0.34, P = 0.618). The sedation score was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Perioperative pregabalin reduces the pain scores at rest and on deep breathing in patients undergoing elective OPCABG up to 72 h postsurgery. Furthermore, the significance was still showing at 1-month postsurgery but diminished at 3-month postsurgery.

Keywords

• coronary artery disease
• pre-emptive analgesia
• pregabalin