Cardiothoracic & vascular anaesthesia
Intermittent Bolus versus Continuous Infusion Erector Spinae Catheters for Median Sternotomy Incisions:A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors' conclusion
In adults undergoing open heart surgery, ESP catheter-based analgesia via PIB did not significantly reduce early postoperative opioid consumption compared to a continuous infusion method.
Study context
- Population
- Adults undergoing open heart surgery via midline sternotomy with scheduled bilateral indwelling erector spinae plane (ESP) catheter analgesia, large academic hospital, midwestern USrandomized 1:1
- Participants
- 240 adults
- Comparison
- Programmed intermittent boluses (PIB) vs Continuous infusion
- Primary endpoint
- Postoperative opioid consumption in oral MME (oral morphine milligram equivalents (OMME))
- Follow-up
- Through 72 hours
Methodological detailsparallel-group, prospective, double-blind
- Parallel-group
- Prospective
- Double-blind
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Each group vs continuous infusionFold difference in OMME (95% CI)P value
PIB
1.08(0.90–1.31)
P = 0.40Each group vs continuous infusionMean difference, OMME per day (mg) (95% CI)P value
PIB
4.1(−5.6 to +13.8)
P = 0.41Secondary outcomes
Pain intensity (NRS), LOS, quality of recovery (QoR-15), time to first bowel movement, antiemetic use
- No statistically significant differences between the 2 groups
Original publication
Intermittent Bolus versus Continuous Infusion Erector Spinae Catheters for Median Sternotomy Incisions:A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 7 June 2026. doi:10.
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