Effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on MACBAR of sevoflurane in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery

Objective To investigate the effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for blunting responses to skin incision ( MACBAR ) in patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 25-55 yr, weighing 45-75 kg, undergoing electire lower abdominal surgery under general anesthesia, were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 15 each): control group (Do group) and 3 dexmedetomidine groups (D1, D2 and D3 groups). The patients were unpremedicated.Dexmedetomidine was not used in group D0. A loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.1μg/kg was injected iv over 10 min, and then dexmedetomidine was infused at a rate of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 μg· kg- 1 · h - 1 for 30 min in groups D1-3 respectively. Anesthesia was induced with inhalation of 8 % sevoflurane. Laryngeal mask airway was inserted when BIS value decreased to 45-55. The patients were mechanically ventilated with inhalation of sevoflurane and a mixture of 50% nitrous oxide and 50% oxygen, and the fresh gas flow was set at 1 L/min. In D0-3 groups, the initial end-tidal concentrations of sevoflurane were 3.0%, 2.5%, 2.0% and 1.5% respectively. The patients' response to skin incision was described as effective if MR or MAP increased by ＜ 15%, or ineffective (MR or MAP increased by ≥ 15%). When the response was effective, the end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane was decreased in the next patient, when ineffective, increased, and the ratio between the two successive concentrations was 0.9.The MRCBAR of sevoflurane was determined by up-and-down method, and 95% confidence interval was calculated.Results The MRCBAR (95% confidence interval) of sevoflurane was 2.85% (2.44%-3.32%), 1.91%(1.61%-2.26%), 1.52% (1.31%-1.77%), and 1.34% (1.15%-1.57%)in D0-3 groups respectively. The MRCBAR of sevoflurane was significantly lower in D1-3 groups than in D0 group, and in D2 and D3 groups than in group D1 (P ＜0.05＝. There was no significant difference in MRCBAR of sevoflurane between D2 and D3 groups (P ＞0.05) .Conclusion Continuous infusion of dexmedetomidine at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 for 30 min results in a decrease in MACBAR of sevoflurane and enhances the inhibitory effect of sevoflurane on the stress response, and in a dose-dependent manner. Key words: Dexmedetomidine;  Dose-response relationship,drug;  Stress;  Sevoflurane