Table 3.
Dosages of opioids
| Agent | Shortage | Control | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remifentanil | |||
| Used in x patients | 36 (27) | 129 (92) | <0.001a |
| Cum. dosage, mg | 26.3 (8.8–90.3) | 11.3 (4.5–29.1) | 0.011b |
| Avg. dosage, μg kg− 1 min− 1 | 0.10 (0.01–0.15) | 0.10 (0.07–0.16) | 0.975b |
| Fentanyl | |||
| Used in x patients | 89 (67) | 55 (39) | <0.001a |
| Cum. dosage, μg | 1400 (800–2040) | 1130 (910–1400) | 0.066b |
| Avg. dosage, μg kg−1 h− 1 | 175 (111–232) | 193 (150–150) | 0.066b |
| Sufentanil | |||
| Used in x patients | 36 (27) | 4 (3) | <0.001a |
| Cum. dosage, mg | 3.9 (1.2–16.8) | 16.9 (4.0–46.4) | 0.443b |
| Avg. dosage, μg kg−1 h− 1 | 1.21 (0.79–1.79) | 1.44 (0.54–1.71) | 0.892b |
| Morphine | |||
| Used in x patients | 22 (17) | 1 (1) | <0.001a |
| Cum. dosage, mg | 76 (31–361) | 15 (15–15) | 0.131b |
| Avg. dosage, mg h−1 | 4.0 (2.4–5.1) | 5.0 (5.0–5.0) | 0.407b |
| Hydromorphone | |||
| Used in x patients | 4 (3) | 0 (0) | 0.115a |
| Cum. dosage, mg | 24 (9–28) | – | – |
| Avg. dosage, mg h−1 | 0.28 (0.16–2.06) | – | – |
| Morphine equivalents pain management | |||
| Cum. dosage, mg | 23.6 (6.6–64.3) | 27.1 (8.6–72.2) | 0.350b |
Data are given as absolute count with percentage or median with 25th and 75th percentile
Statistical methods: aPearson’s chi-squared test with Yates’s continuity correction, bWilcoxon rank-sum test
Cumulative dosages contain agents that were administered during intensive care unit admission and intraoperatively. Daily dosages are given per time or per body weight and time. “Morphine equivalents pain management” contains the m. e. of every additional opioid for pain management (intravenous bolus, oral opioids, and transdermal applications).