Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Patient-controlled versus nurse-controlled analgesia after cardiac surgery--a meta-analysis.
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has been advocated as superior to conventional nurse-controlled analgesia (NCA) with less risk to patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine whether PCA improves clinical and resource outcomes when compared with NCA. ⋯ In postcardiac surgical patients, PCA increases cumulative 24 and 48 hr morphine consumption, and improves 48-hr VAS compared with NCA.