Impact of dexmedetomidine versus propofol on cardiac function of children undergoing laparoscopic surgery

To compare the different outcomes of dexmedetomidine (Dex) vs. propofol combined with sevoflurane in children's laparoscopic surgery by noninvasive continuous cardiac output monitoring (NICOM).

Twenty-eight ASA class I-II children scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia of intravenous and inhalation were randomly divided into two groups by computing random numbers' generation. Group D (Dex + sevoflurane + remifentanil) received an infusion of Dex 1 μg/kg bolus for induction over minutes, and then a maintenance dose of Dex 0.01 μg/kg.min was administrated. Group P (propofol + sevoflurane + remifentanil) received an infusion of propofol 2 mg/kg bolus for induction, and then a maintenance dose of 100 μg/kg × min was administrated. Cardiac function were recorded and analyzed by NICOM. The value of heart rate (HR), systolic arterial blood pressure (SABP), cardiac index (CI), cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) were compared between the two groups among following four time points: T1 is before induction, T2 is before artificial pneumoperitoneum, T3 is during artificial pneumoperitoneum, T4 is 15 minutes after artificial pneumoperitoneum.

There was no significantly difference between Group D and P except for HR at T2 and T3. All of the statistical values had no significant differences between two groups at T1 and T4 (P > 0.05). There were significant differences of HR at T2 and T3 in Group D.

Compared with propofol, the combination of Dex in children undergoing laparoscopic surgery shows better inhibition on HR.