[Effects of dopexamine on splanchnic perfusion in cardiac surgery]

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of dopexamine on the splanchnic perfusion and the general circulation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: 34 Patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to receive either dopexamine (1 microg/kg/min) or placebo (0,9% NaCl. ) Cardiac output was measured by thermodilution using a pulmonary artery catheter. Splanchnic blood flow was determined by constant infusion technique of indocyanine green dye (ICG) using a hepatic vein catheter.

Results: Under steady state conditions before surgery, dopexamine increased systemic oxygen supply and cardiac output by an increase in heart rate and stroke volume, with no increase in systemic oxygen demand. Before surgery dopexamine increased splanchnic blood flow together with an increase in cardiac output. After cardiopulmonary bypass dopexamine increased splanchnic perfusion without a concomittant rise in cardiac output.

Conclusion: These results provide evidence that dopexamine improves splanchnic blood flow in patients with coronary artery disease before and after pulmonary bypass without impairment of general hemodynamics.