Methods: Between March 2011 and June 2011, 63 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and received fentanyl (group F) or fentanyl + dexmedetomidine (group D) in our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. The level of anesthesia was monitored with bispectral index. The additional fentanyl doses and use of additional drugs were recorded at the end of induction, after endotracheal intubation, before and after skin incision, and after sternotomy. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded at the end of anesthesia induction, after intubation (1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th min), before and after skin incision and after sternotomy. Variation coefficients were calculated to compare the hemodynamic variables and bispectral index variables.

Results: The comparison of demographic parameters showed no significant difference between the groups. The fentanyl dose was lower in induction, additional administered doses and total administered doses in group D. The occurrence of hypertension was significantly higher in group F. Bispectral index levels were found to be lower and more stable in group D. The variability of systolic arterial pressure was lower in group D. Postoperative time to extubation was shorter in group D.

Conclusion: Concomitant use of dexmedetomidine and narcotics may lower opioid doses in anesthesia induction and lead to more stable hemodynamic parameters, particularly systolic arterial pressure in patients undergoing CABG. Therefore, occurrence of hypertension and fluctuations in the arterial pressure may be reduced and patients can be weaned from the ventilator more rapidly.