Continuous administration of remifentanil and sufentanil induces cardioprotection in human myocardium, in vitro

Background: Remifentanil and sufentanil are widely used opioids during general anaesthesia for cardiac and non‐cardiac surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that the continuous administration of remifentanil and sufentanil, at clinically relevant concentrations, could provide protection of human myocardium, in vitro , against hypoxia–reoxygenation injury. Method: Isometrically contracting isolated human right atrial trabeculae were exposed to 30 min of hypoxia and 60 min of reoxygenation. In separate groups, remifentanil at 10 −11 , 10 −10 , 10 −9 , or sufentanil at 10 −11 , 10 −10 , 10 −9  M were administered 10 min before hypoxia until the end of the experiment. The force of contraction (FoC) of trabeculae was recorded continuously. Developed force was compared (mean ± standard deviation) between the groups using a variance analysis and post hoc tests. Results: At the end of the 60‐min reoxygenation, remifentanil 10 −11  M (FoC: 82 ± 7% of baseline), 10 −10  M (FoC: 78 ± 5% of baseline), 10 −9  M (FoC: 80 ± 4% of baseline) and sufentanil 10 −11  M (FoC: 78 ± 8% of baseline), 10 −10  M (FoC: 83 ± 6% of baseline), 10 −9  M (FoC: 83 ± 8% of baseline) enhanced the recovery of FoC as compared with the control group (53 ± 9% of baseline, P <0.0001). Conclusions: Remifentanil and sufentanil, at clinically relevant concentrations, confer cardioprotection of human myocardium against hypoxia reoxygenation, in vitro .