The Effects of Peri-operative Pregabalin Administration on Post-operative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Grafting

Inclusion Criteria * Patients whom are able and willing to provide written informed consent. * Male and female 18-70 years of age. * Patients whom are undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting through a midline sternotomy for the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Exclusion criteria * Patients undergoing cardiac surgery for valvular or pericardial surgery. * Patients with a documented ejection fraction of less than 50%. * Patients with known chronic renal insufficiency and a calculated creatinine clearance of \< 60mL/min. * Patients with known sensitivity to the study drugs. * Patients with documented pre-existing chronic pain. * Patients with seizure disorders. * Patients whom are taking pregabalin or gabapentin * Patients on chronic neuroleptic medications for control of psychiatric disorders as to avoid possible drug interactions and to avoid modulation of any pain states by such medications. * Patients whom are taking tricyclic antidepressants or serotonin and norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors(SNRI) will be excluded because of the effect of these drugs on neuropathic pain. * Patients greater than 70 years of age will also be excluded because of their increased risk of side-effects and perioperative confusion. * Pregnant or breast feeding females