Table 1. Patient characteristics.
| Characteristics | All (n = 126) | Remifentanil (n = 58) | Fentanyl (n = 47) | Morphine (n = 21) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median age, yr | 68.3 ± 14.1 | 71.1 ± 12.9 | 67.3 ± 16.1 | 62.7 ± 11.1 | |
| Men/women | 85/41 (67.5/32.5) | 42/16 (72.4/27.6) | 29/18 (61.7/38.3) | 14/7 (66.7/33.3) | |
| Reason for mechanical ventilator application | |||||
| Infection | 61 (48.4) | 30 (51.7) | 25 (53.2) | 6 (28.6) | |
| Bleeding event | 8 (6.3) | 3 (5.2) | 4 (8.5) | 1 (4.8) | |
| Respiratory disease | 15 (11.9) | 5 (8.6) | 6 (12.8) | 4 (19.0) | |
| Heart failure | 7 (5.6) | 4 (6.9) | 2 (4.3) | 1 (4.8) | |
| Post-operation | 3 (2.4) | 2 (3.4) | 1 (2.1) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Others | 32 (25.4) | 14 (24.1) | 9 (19.1) | 9 (28.1) | |
| Comorbidity | |||||
| Diabetes mellitus | 16 (12.7) | 8 (13.8) | 6 (12.8) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Hypertension | 11 (8.7) | 5 (8.6) | 4 (8.5) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Respiratory disease | 23 (18.3) | 12 (20.7) | 8 (17.0) | 3 (14.3) | |
| Liver disease | 10 (7.9) | 2 (3.4) | 6 (12.8) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Renal disease | 5 (4.0) | 1 (1.7) | 2 (4.3) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Cardiac disease | 14 (11.1) | 7 (12.1) | 7 (14.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Solid cancer | 25 (19.8) | 11 (19.0) | 10 (21.3) | 4 (19.0) | |
| Hematologic cancer | 17 (13.5) | 11 (19.0) | 2 (4.3) | 4 (19.0) | |
| Immunosuppression | 3 (2.4) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (6.4) | 0 (0.0) | |
| Others | 14 (11.1) | 7 (12.1) | 4 (8.5) | 3 (14.3) | |
| History of opioid exposure used for more than 3 daysa (P = 0.007) | 22 (17.5) | 4 (6.9) | 14 (29.8) | 4 (19.0) | |
| Chronic alcoholics | 13 (10.3) | 4 (6.9) | 7 (14.9) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Septic shock | 45 (35.7) | 17 (29.3) | 23 (48.9) | 5 (23.8) | |
| SOFA scorea (P = 0.004) | 10.0 ± 3.7 | 9.7 ± 3.7 | 11.2 ± 3.4 | 8.0 ± 3.5b | |
| Dialysis | 28 (22.2) | 9 (15.5) | 15 (31.9) | 4 (19.0) | |
| Sedatives | |||||
| No sedativea (P = 0.011) | 65 (51.6) | 22 (37.9) | 28 (59.6) | 15 (71.4) | |
| Propofola (P < 0.001) | 43 (34.1) | 33 (56.9) | 8 (17.0) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Midazolam | 5 (4.0) | 2 (3.4) | 2 (4.3) | 1 (4.8) | |
| Ketamine | 8 (6.3) | 2 (3.4) | 4 (8.5) | 2 (9.5) | |
| Dexmedetomidinea (P = 0.018) | 7 (5.6) | 0 (0) | 5 (8.5) | 2 (9.5) | |
Results are reported as mean ± standard deviation or number (%).
SOFA = Sequential Organ Failure Assessment.
aStatistical significance when comparing the variables of the three groups; bvs. the fentanyl group.