Preemptive Anti–Stress Response Effects of Oxycodone Versus Sufentanil for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Valve Replacement—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement may experience cardiovascular adverse events during the preoperative period before anesthesia. The study was to compare the preemptive anti–stress response effects of oxycodone versus sufentanil for patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. Ninety‐four patients were enrolled and assigned to group Oxy, group Suf and group NS. Patients in group Oxy were administrated with oxycodone 0.1 mg/kg, group Suf received sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg and group NS were given equivalent volume of normal saline. The primary outcomes included serum levels of cortisol, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. The secondary outcomes involved bispectral index value and the observer's assessment of awareness/sedation grade, levels of mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and the adverse reactions. Compared to group NS, the serum levels of cortisol at T1 to T5 (P