Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2025

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Cardiac Output among Parturient with Severe Preeclampsia after Cesarean Section
Yanxiang Lv1, Ying Zhou1, Yuan Qiao1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Intensive Care Unit, Northwest Women and Children's Hospital, Xi'an 710032, China.
This study was to investigate the hemodynamic effect of dexmedetomidine among parturient with severe preeclampsia after cesarean section. Parturient with severe preeclampsia were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine (0.2-0.7 μg/kg/h) or equivalent volumes of 0.9% saline as control after cesarean section, respectively. A total of 36 parturient with severe preeclampsia were enrolled, including 18 in the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group and 18 in the saline group. Compared with the saline group, among those in the DEX group, CO was reduced by 1.30 L/min (95% CI: -2.36 to 0.25; P = 0.019). Additionally, HR (-13.79 bpm, 95% CI: -22.02 to -5.58; P = 0.002), SBP (-16.11 mmHg, 95% CI: -30.56 to -1.66; P = 0.030), DBP (-10.48 mmHg, 95% CI: -18.27 to -2.69; P = 0.002), and MAP (-12.36 mmHg, 95% CI: -22.05 to -2.66; P = 0.014) were reduced in the DEX group compared with the saline group. In contrast, there were no changes observed in SV and ICON between groups. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine reduces cardiac output by inhibiting the acceleration of heart rate without sacrificing myocardial contractility and stroke volume.
This study was to investigate the hemodynamic effect of dexmedetomidine among parturient with severe preeclampsia after cesarean section. Parturient with severe preeclampsia were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine (0.2-0.7 μg/kg/h) or equivalent volumes of 0.9% saline as control after cesarean section, respectively. A total of 36 parturient with severe preeclampsia were enrolled, including 18 in the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group and 18 in the saline group. Compared with the saline group, among those in the DEX group, CO was reduced by 1.30 L/min (95% CI: -2.36 to 0.25; P = 0.019). Additionally, HR (-13.79 bpm, 95% CI: -22.02 to -5.58; P = 0.002), SBP (-16.11 mmHg, 95% CI: -30.56 to -1.66; P = 0.030), DBP (-10.48 mmHg, 95% CI: -18.27 to -2.69; P = 0.002), and MAP (-12.36 mmHg, 95% CI: -22.05 to -2.66; P = 0.014) were reduced in the DEX group compared with the saline group. In contrast, there were no changes observed in SV and ICON between groups. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine reduces cardiac output by inhibiting the acceleration of heart rate without sacrificing myocardial contractility and stroke volume.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...

