We hypothesize that the perioperative administration of pregabalin will significantly decrease pain scores and post-operative opioid requirements for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting, and reduces the incidence of opioid-induced side effects such as respiratory depression. This may reduce ICU admission and possibly abbreviate length of hospital stay.

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients whom are able and willing to provide written informed consent.
• Male and female 18-70 years of age.
• Patients whom are undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting through a midline sternotomy for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients undergoing cardiac surgery for valvular or pericardial surgery.
• Patients with a documented ejection fraction of less than 50%.
• Patients with known chronic renal insufficiency and a calculated creatinine clearance of < 60mL/min.
• Patients with known sensitivity to the study drugs.
• Patients with documented pre-existing chronic pain.
• Patients with seizure disorders.
• Patients whom are taking pregabalin or gabapentin
• Patients on chronic neuroleptic medications for control of psychiatric disorders as to avoid possible drug interactions and to avoid modulation of any pain states by such medications.
• Patients whom are taking tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors(SNRI) will be excluded because of the effect of these drugs on neuropathic pain.
• Patients greater than 70 years of age will also be excluded because of their increased risk of side-effects and perioperative confusion.
• Pregnant or breast feeding females