Sarica F, Erturk E, Kutanis D, et al. - Via this retrospective, observational study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, researchers examined how thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) vs traditional intravenous analgesia affects postoperative respiratory mechanics in cardiac surgery. They assessed postoperative respiratory effects of TEA with bupivacaine or intravenous analgesia with tramadol or paracetamol or dexmedetomidine. On screening a total of 1,369 patients, enrollment of 1,280 patients was done in the study. Outcomes revealed attainment of better postoperative respiratory condition as a result of better sedative analgesia provided by TEA in cardiac surgery.