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Original Research
Effect of dexmedetomidine versus propofol on splanchnic perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock: a randomised controlled trial
Southern African Journal of Anaesthesia and Analgesia | Vol 31, No 6 | a1357 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36303/SAJAA.3282
| © 2025 I.S. Abdel-Fattah, A.M. Mukhtar, A. El Adawy, M.A. Maher, I.A. Ismail, M.F. Mostafa, Y.S. Elbasha, M. AliAbdelhalim
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 November 2025 | Published: 26 November 2025
Submitted: 26 November 2025 | Published: 26 November 2025
About the author(s)
I.S. Abdel-Fattah, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, EgyptA.M. Mukhtar, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
A. El Adawy, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
M.A. Maher, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
I.A. Ismail, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
M.F. Mostafa, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Y.S. Elbasha, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
M. AliAbdelhalim, Department of Anaesthesiology, ICU and Pain Management, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
Full Text:
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Introduction: Dexmedetomidine has vasodilatory effects that may support microcirculatory recruitment and improve tissue perfusion. This study aimed to assess the effect of dexmedetomidine on renal and
hepatic blood flow in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.
Methodology: This prospective, randomised, single-blinded study was conducted in the 50-bed trauma and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Cairo University Hospital, Giza, Egypt. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the dexmedetomidine group (group D, n = 15) or the control group receiving propofol (group P, n = 15). The renal Doppler resistive index (RDRI) and portal vein pulsatility index (PVPI) were measured. All variables were recorded at baseline, six, and 24 hours after drug administration.
Results: A total of 44 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 14 did not meet the inclusion criteria. Right RDRI at baseline was significantly lower in group D than in group P (p = 0.006). No significant differences were observed in RDRI or PVPI between the groups at six or 24 hours.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine had no significant effect on renal or hepatic perfusion, as measured by RDRI and PVPI, in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.
hepatic blood flow in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.
Methodology: This prospective, randomised, single-blinded study was conducted in the 50-bed trauma and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at Cairo University Hospital, Giza, Egypt. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the dexmedetomidine group (group D, n = 15) or the control group receiving propofol (group P, n = 15). The renal Doppler resistive index (RDRI) and portal vein pulsatility index (PVPI) were measured. All variables were recorded at baseline, six, and 24 hours after drug administration.
Results: A total of 44 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 14 did not meet the inclusion criteria. Right RDRI at baseline was significantly lower in group D than in group P (p = 0.006). No significant differences were observed in RDRI or PVPI between the groups at six or 24 hours.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine had no significant effect on renal or hepatic perfusion, as measured by RDRI and PVPI, in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.
Keywords
septic shock, dexmedetomidine, splanchnic perfusion
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