Cardiothoracic & vascular anesthesia
Dexmedetomidine-enhanced chest wall fascial plane blocks in ultra-fast-track minimally invasive heart valve surgery: a randomized controlled trial
Authors' conclusion
The administration of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine in combination with ropivacaine for chest wall fascial plane blocks reduces opioid requirements and shortens ICU/hospital stays in UFT cardiac surgery, supporting its safety and efficacy
Study context
- Population
- Elective patients undergoing ultra-fast-track (UFT) minimally invasive heart valve surgery
- Participants
- 76 patients
- Comparison
- DEX vs Control
- Primary endpoint
- Co-primary: intraoperative remifentanil use and 24-h postoperative sufentanil consumption (opioid-sparing effects)
Methodological detailsdouble-blind, 1:1 randomisation, co-primary endpoints
- Double-blind
- 1:1 randomisation
- Co-primary endpoints
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
DEX
2.45
SD 0.47 · mg
Control
2.98
SD 0.53 · mg
DEX
57
median · IQR 54–60 · μg
Control
63
median · IQR 63–66 · μg
DEX vs Control: P < 0.001 · DEX vs Control: P < 0.001
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Oxycodone consumption · 24 h | P < 0.001 |
| PCA activations · 24 h | P < 0.001 |
| Episodes of VAS ≥ 3 · 48 h | P < 0.001 |
| ICU LOS | P = 0.002 |
| Hospital LOS | P < 0.001 |
Safety
Postoperative complications
- Did not differ significantly between groups
- Dexmedetomidine-related hemodynamic effects not systematically monitored
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Dexmedetomidine-enhanced chest wall fascial plane blocks in ultra-fast-track minimally invasive heart valve surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Perioper Med (Lond). Published 23 June 2025. doi:10.
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