Effect of dexmedetomidine on off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with myocardial injury

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidineon off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCABG) in patients with myocardial injury. Methods Sixty ASA physical status II or Ⅲ patients of no gender limitation, aged 42-76 years, weighing 51-87 kg, scheduled for elective total correction of coronary disease under off-pump, were randomly divided into two groups: control group(group C, 30 each) and dexmedetomidine group (group D, 30 each). The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated. After intubation, dexmedetomidine was infused intravenously at 0.8 μg/(kg·h) until the end of operation in group D, while the equal volume normal saline was given instead of dexmedetomidine in group C. Venous blood samples were obtained before operation(T1), at the end of operation(T2), 12 h after operation(T3) and 24 h after operation (T4)for determination of plasma TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations.The two groups of patients with surgery of standardⅡlead electrocardiogram(ECG) were recorded. Results The concentrations of plasma TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower at the time of T2-T4 in group D than those in group C(P<0.05). The average level of elevated ST(MST)had statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusions For the patients undergoing total correction of coronary disease under off-pump, dexmedetomidine infused at 0.8 μg/(kg·h) during operation can exert myocardial protective effect with clinical significance. Key words: Dexmedetomidine; Coronary Artery Bypass; Off-Pump; Myocardium; Protective