IMPACT OF FENTANYL ON HOSPITAL STAY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC SURGERY AT REHMAN MEDICAL INSTITUE (RMI), PESHAWAR

Abstract

Background: Perioperative and postoperative pain management in cardiac surgery is an application of fentanyl that is commonly used due to its fast onset of action, potent effect for pain, and cardiovascular stability. Although it has therapeutic benefits, it can also cause side effects including respiratory depression, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and delirium, all of which can delay recovery and early mobility. These issues in patients undergoing cardiac surgery can lead to a longer time spent on mechanical ventilation, longer time spent in the intensive care unit and more time spent in the hospital. Objectives: The impact of Fentanyl on Post-Operative Recovery time and discharge. To Identify the influence of patients Characteristics (age, gender, comorbidities) on Fentanyl requirement and hospital stay. Materials and Methods: Prospective observational research was carried out over a four-month period at Rehman Medical Institute in Peshawar. The 143 adult patients with heart surgery and peri-operative fentanyl were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. After obtaining ethical approval and institutional permission, data was collected by using a standardized questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS and presented by tables, percentages and graphs. Results: The number of heart surgery patients was 143 and the male patients accounted for 59.4% of the sample. The majority of patients were ASA III (80.4%) and CABG was the most prevalent procedure (53.8%). Hypertension (31.5%) and diabetes (23.1%) were the most common comorbidities. Fentanyl was utilized in 99.3% of patients, all through the intravenous method, with 49.7% getting it for one day. ICU stay was mainly one day (46.9%) or not required (42.7%) with a majority of hospital stay being four days (49.0%). Postoperative complications occurred in many patients, such as nausea/vomiting (30.8%) and respiratory depression (30.1%); however, the majority of patients (88.1%) were discharged in stable condition. Conclusion: Use of fentanyl was common in heart surgery and was generally effective in producing a more stable postoperative period with short ICU and hospital stay, and that postoperative problems were still prevalent.

Keywords: Fentanyl, Cardiac surgery, Hospital stay, ICU stay, Postoperative complications, Respiratory depression, Analgesia, ASA classification, Perioperative care, Length of stay.