BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of
remifentanil-based fast-track
anesthesia for intraoperative device closure of
atrial septal defects (ASDs). MATERIAL AND METHODS The clinical data of 152 pediatric patients who received intraoperative device closure of ASD in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group F (
remifentanil-based fast-track
anesthesia group, n=72) and group C (
fentanyl-based routine
anesthesia group, n=80). The relevant data from 2 groups were collected and analyzed. RESULTS No significant differences were found in the preoperative data or intraoperative hemodynamic index between these 2 groups. Group C was significantly inferior to group F regarding the duration of
mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit (ICU)
stay, length of
hospital stay, and hospitalization expenses (P<0.05). In terms of postoperative complications, no death, third-degree
atrioventricular block, occluder detachment, or residual leakage was reported in either group. The incidence of lung
infections and
bronchospasm was significantly higher in group C than in group F. There were no
anesthetic-related complications. CONCLUSIONS The application of
remifentanil-based fast-track
anesthesia for intraoperative device closure of ASD is as effective and safe as
fentanyl-based routine
anesthesia. Moreover,
remifentanil-based fast-track
anesthesia has the advantages of shorter duration of
mechanical ventilation, shorter length of hospital and ICU stay, fewer postoperative complications, and lower hospitalization expenses, and is therefore worthy of promotion in clinical practice.