Does dopexamine influence regional vascular tone and oxygenation during intestinal hypotension?

• Published in: Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Vol. 46; no. 10; pp. 1217 - 1226
• Main Authors: Lehtipalo, S., Biber, B., Fröjse, R., Arnerlöv, C., Johansson, G., Winsö, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.11.2002; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animals; Autoregulation; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Dopamine - analogs & derivatives; Dopamine - pharmacology; dopexamine; Female; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Hypotension - physiopathology; intestinal hypotension; Intestinal Mucosa - blood supply; Intestinal Mucosa - physiopathology; intestinal vascular resistance; intestinal vasodilation; Intestines - blood supply; Intestines - physiopathology; Jejunum - blood supply; Jejunum - physiopathology; Lactic Acid - analysis; Medical sciences; Mesenteric Artery, Superior - physiopathology; mucosal blood flow; Oxygen - blood; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Regional Blood Flow - drug effects; Swine; tissue oxygen tension; Vascular Resistance - drug effects; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology; Vasodilator agents. Cerebral vasodilators; Autoregulation; Vasodilator agent; Mucosa; Cardiovascular disease; Dopexamine; tissue oxygen tension; intestinal hypotension; mucosal blood flow; intestinal vascular resistance; Vascular resistance; Intestinal disease; Ungulata; Regional blood flow; Oxygen; Gut; Catecholamine; Pressure; Pig; Vertebrata; Mammalia; intestinal vasodilation; Animal; Arterial hypotension; Digestive diseases; Self regulation; Artiodactyla; Hemodynamics; Oxygenation
• ISSN: 0001-5172; 1399-6576
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-6576.2002.461009.x

Background: Local effects of dopexamine on intestinal vascular tone and oxygenation were investigated during intestinal hypotension. To this end, we employed an experimental model, in which the superior mesenteric arterial pressure (PSMA) was controlled by an adjustable perivascular clamp. This approach enabled us to keep the intestinal perfusion pressure (IPP) constant in the face of any systemic circulatory alterations. Methods: In 11 barbiturate‐anesthetized pigs, we instrumented the superior mesenteric circulation for assessments of vascular resistance (RMES), IPP, jejunal mucosal perfusion (Laser Doppler) and intestinal tissue oxygenation (microoximetry). Measurements were carried out before and during dopexamine infusions (0.5 and 1.0 µg·kg−1·min−1) at a freely variable PSMA (i.e. the perivascular clamp fully open) and at a PSMA of 50 mmHg and 30 mmHg. Results:  At a constant PSMA of 50 mmHg, dopexamine had no significant intestinal vascular effects. However, at a constant PSMA of 30 mmHg, both doses of dopexamine were associated with decreases in RMES. Effects of dopexamine on intestinal oxygen delivery and extraction were minimal during these procedures, while a minor decrease in intestinal tissue oxygen tension was observed during dopexamine administration at the lowest IPP level. Conclusion: At very low intestinal perfusion pressures (approximately 30 mmHg) dopexamine produces intestinal vasodilation in excess of what is produced by intrinsic autoregulation. This suggests that there is a vasodilatory reserve in the intestine under such conditions and that a pharmacological vasodilator like dopexamine may improve intestinal circulation during regional severe hypotension.