Efficacy of Intravenous Acetaminophen in Periimplantation Pain of Cardiac Electronic Devices: A Randomized Double-Blinded Study

Abstract

Purpose: Although intravenous acetaminophen has been administered to reduce postoperative pain, it has not been used during cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) implantation.

Design: This was a randomized double-blinded interventional study.

Methods: Thirty-two patients who were referred for new CIED implantation during July 2012 until April 2013 randomly received placebo or 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen. All patients were treated with local anesthesia. Pain score during incision, pocket creation, and in the recovery room, and the patients' need for analgesics during the 6 hours after the procedure were recorded in both groups.

Findings: Seventeen and 15 patients received acetaminophen and placebo, respectively. Pain scores in patients treated with acetaminophen were significantly lower (4.4 vs 2.9, P = .004), and they received less analgesics (17% vs 60%, P = .014).

Conclusions: Intravenous administration of acetaminophen is effective for pain relief in patients undergoing CIED implantation and decreases the need for postoperative analgesics.

Keywords: acetaminophen; analgesics; cardiac implantable electronic devices; pain.