Postoperative Pain Therapy With Hydromorphone Using TCI-PCA

Phase 4 Study of Postoperative Pain Therapy With Hydromorphone Using Patient-Controlled Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI-PCA) vs. Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) After Elective Cardiac Surgery

Treatment of postoperative pain with hydromorphone (a strong analgesic) using patient-controlled analgesia with target concentrations in blood compared to conventional patient-controlled analgesia after planed cardiac surgery

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent
• Age between 40 and 85 years, both genders
• Scheduled for elective cardiac surgery involving thoracotomy and subsequent ICU stay

Exclusion Criteria:

• Administration of other analgesics or sedatives, if not administered in stable dosage for at least 14 days or if not used for premedication and surgery
• Administration of hydromorphone in the period between screening and surgery
• Severe hepatic or renal impairment in medical history
• BMI ≥35 kg/m²
• ASA ≥4