Results of a pilot study on the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine on inflammatory responses and intraabdominal pressure in severe sepsis

Abstract

Study objective: To compare the effects of an intravenous infusion of propofol and the alpha-2 adrenoceptor, dexmedetomidine, on inflammatory responses and intraabdominal pressure (IAP) in severe sepsis after abdominal surgery, specifically, serum cytokine levels (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) and IAP.

Design: Prospective, single-center study.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: 40 adult ICU patients who had undergone ileus surgery and who were expected to require postoperative sedation and ventilation.

Interventions: Patients received either a loading dose infusion of propofol (Group P; n = 20) one mg/kg over 15 minutes followed by a maintenance dose of one to three mg/kg/hr (n = 20, Group P) or a loading dose of dexmedetomidine of one microg/kg over 10 minutes followed by a maintenance dose of 0.2-2.5 microg/kg/h (n = 20, Group D) at the 24th hour.

Measurements: Biochemical and hemodynamic parameters, cytokine levels, and IAP were recorded before the start of the study and at the 24th and 48th hours.

Main results: TNF-alpha levels were significantly lower at the 24th hour (14.66 +/- 4.40 pg/mL vs. 21.21 +/- 11.37 pg/mL, respectively) and at the 48th hour (21.25 +/- 15.85 pg/mL vs. 46.55 +/- 35.99 pg/mL, respectively) in Group D. IL-1 levels were significantly lower at the 24th hour (5.03 +/- 0.15 pg/mL vs. 6.23 +/- 2.09 pg/mL, respectively) and the 48th hour (5.01 +/- 0.37 pg/mL vs. 6.42 +/- 2.76 pg/mL, respectively) in Group D. IL-6 levels were significantly lower at the 24th hour (253.1 +/- 303.6 pg/mL and 511.3 +/- 374.8 pg/mL, respectively) and at the 48th hour (343.5 +/- 393.4 pg/mL and 503.7 +/- 306.4 pg/mL, respectively) in Group D. Intraabdominal pressure also was significantly lower at the 24th hour (12.35 +/- 5.84 mmHg vs. 18.1 +/- 2.84 mmHg, respectively) and the 48th hour (13.9 +/- 6.15 mmHg vs. 18.7 +/- 3.46 mmHg, respectively) in Group D.

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion decreases TNF-a, IL-1, and IL-6 levels and IAP more than a propofol infusion.