Low-dose remifentanil as an adjunct is not associated with clinically important opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Saturday, November 15, 2025

8:56 AM - 9:04 AM CT

Location: 301 - 302

Introduction:

Remifentanil, as the primary opioid or in high doses, is known to be associated with opioid induced hyperalgesia (OIH).^1,2 Low-dose remifentanil is widely used and its potential for OIH has not been well-studied. We assessed outcomes of OIH with remifentanil use as an adjunct analgesic after day surgeries. This prospective cohort study was nested within a randomized trial showing no difference in achieving satisfactory analgesia in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) with morphine or hydromorphone.³

Submitting Author(s)

Harsha Shanthanna, MD PhD FRCPC (he/him/his)

Professor
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Co-Author(s)

MK

Maram Khaled, MBBCh, MSc, PhD

Investigator, Perioperative and Surgery Research Program
Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, United States
AD

Alvaro Diaz, MD

Research Assistant
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, United States
PF

Parsa Farsinejad, MD

Research Assistant
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, United States
SC

Sarah Clements, MSc

Research Assistant
Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University, United States