[Comparison of Sedative and Analgesic Requirements in Children with and without Down Syndrome following Pediatric Cardiac Surgery].

Background: Conflicting results have been reported on postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients with Down syndrome. We compared sedative and analgesic requirements following cardiac surgery between pediatric patients with and without Down syndrome.

Methods: Patients who underwent atrial septal defect closure, ventricular septal defect closure and repair of atrioventricular septal defect at the age between one month and 24 months in our institution for 2 years from 2011 to 2012 were recruited into the study. Patient's background and perioperative managements were investigated. Data collected included preoperative cardiac catheterization data, postoperative sedative and analgesic dosage, postoperative sedation scores and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results: Eight Down syndrome (mean : weight 5.6 kg, age 7.9 months) and twelve non-Down syndrome (mean : weight 5.6 kg, age 5.6 months) patients were enrolled into the study. Pulmonary-systemic artery pressure ratio after cardiac repair and intraoperative anesthetic doses did not differ. Postoperative sedation score, duration of mechanical ventilation and stay in intensive care unit were equivalent. Maintenance and cumulative dose of midazolam, dexmedetomidine and fentanyl, and times of rescue administration did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions: In our study, all enrolled patients received adequate sedation and analgesia after pediatric cardiac surgery. Sedative and analgesic doses following pediatric cardiac surgery were not different between the groups of Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome.