The use of lorazepam in cardiac bypass surgery: A comparative study

Summary

A study was carried out in 68 consecutive patients undergoing elective bypass surgery for acquired or congenital curdiac lesions to assess the value of lorazepam for the relief of anxiety and prevention of recall. Patients were allocated at random to one of three groups and received night sedation on the night before operation with either 10 mg nitrazepam or 2.5 mg lorazepam orally, and premedication 1 hour before transport to the theatre with either 0.25 mg papaveretum/kg plus 0.3 mg atropine or 0.04 mg lorazepam/kg plus 0.3 mg atropine intramuscularly. Anxiety was assessed pre-operatively by question and linear analogue scale ratings, und post-operative interview for recall included assessment of three Events prior to induction. The results showed that lorazepam used for night sedation and premedication provided anxiety relief at induction in 77% of patients (71 % on analogue score) compared with 74% (57% on irnalogue score) for nitrazepum and pupaveretuni. Lorazepam abolished recall of induction in 56 % of putients who received it as premedication and in 68 % of those who received it as both night sedation and premedication. These properties, combined with its lack of significant effect on cardiovascular stability, respiration or recovery from anaesthesia, support the use of lorazepam as u premedicant.

Key Words::

• Lorazepam
• Anxiety
• memory
• preanaesthetic medication
• heart surgery