High Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia, but Not Clonidine, Attenuates the Perioperative Stress Response Via Sympatholysis and Reduces the Release of Troponin T in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

Thoracic epidural anesthesia combined with general anesthesia attenuates the myocardial sympathetic response to cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac surgery. This is associated with decreased myocardial ischemia as determined by less release of troponin T. These findings may have an impact on the anesthetic management for coronary artery bypass grafting.