Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Two Analgesic Regimens After Cardiac Surgery: Slow Release and Breakthrough Tapentadol versus Slow Release and Breakthrough Oxycodone
Authors' conclusion
This retrospective cohort study demonstrates that tapentadol compared to oxycodone is an effective alternative for managing pain after cardiac surgery performed via sternotomy.
Study context
- Population
- Opioid-naïve adults after cardiac surgery via sternotomy
- Exposure
- Tapentadol vs Oxycodone
- Outcome
- Daily worst pain score at rest and on movement
- Follow-up
- 7 days after extubation
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Worst pain at rest and on movement · first 7 days post extubation
Tapentadol vs OxycodoneOdds ratio (95% CI)P value
Worst pain at rest
1.77(0.56–5.65)
P = 0.334Worst pain on movement
3.23(0.85–12.32)
P = 0.086Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Decrease in documented worst pain at rest and on movement · by day 7 · despite rapid de-escalation of opioids
Original publication
Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Two Analgesic Regimens After Cardiac Surgery: Slow Release and Breakthrough Tapentadol versus Slow Release and Breakthrough Oxycodone. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 20 May 2025. doi:10.
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