EXPARELEvaluation of Liposomal Bupivacaine Compared to Usual Care and Its Effects on Pain for Cardiac Surgery

Current standard of care for pain management includes a multimodal approach of peristernal and fifth intercoastal infiltration with 0.25% bupivacaine with epinepherine combined with immediate post operative IV acetaminophen, followed by scheduled oral acetaminophen and supplemental IV and PO narcotics. This practice is beneficial since it controls most of the direct surgical site pain for at least 6 hours, however, after the local anesthetic dissipates, pain is usually managed with the use of opioids combined with scheduled oral acetaminophen. Opioids are the most commonly used medications to control pain early after surgery because of their high potency. However, their undesirable effects and risk of dependence become limitations. The Investigators believe Liposomal Bupivacaine would be beneficial in this population due to its quick onset of action and prolonged half-life associated with liposomal formulation ranging from 23.8 to 34.1 hours. The primary endpoint will be a 20% reduction in opioids use.