Combination of fentanyl and metoprolol in anesthesia in elderly patients: Effects on postoperative pain management and cardiovascular stability

Elderly patients undergoing surgery may benefit from improved postoperative pain management and cardiovascular stability through the combination of metoprolol, a selective ?1-adrenergic blocker and fentanyl, an opioid analgesic. This double-blind randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of this combination in 200 elderly patients scheduled for elective surgeries. Participants were divided into two groups: the experimental group (EG) received fentanyl and metoprolol, while the control group (CG) received standard propofol-based anesthesia. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at intervals from 6 hours to 30 days. Results demonstrated significantly lower pain scores in the EG at all time points (p < 0.05), with no significant differences in cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure and heart rate) between groups (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that the fentanyl-metoprolol combination enhances postoperative analgesia while maintaining cardiovascular stability in elderly patients, supporting its potential integration into clinical practice. Further studies are warranted to optimize dosing protocols and evaluate long-term outcomes.