Effects of dexmedetomidine on dynamic lung compliance in general anesthesia with desflurane: A randomized controlled...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on lung compliance in patients under general anesthesia with desflurane.

This prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial included 51 patients who received general anesthesia undergoing lower limb fracture surgery. Participants were assigned to either the experimental (loading dose of 0.25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.3 μg/kg/h until the end of the surgery) or control (0.9% saline) group. Anesthesia was maintained with desflurane, analgesics and muscle relaxants. The two groups were compared for hemodynamic parameters, dynamic lung compliance, oxygenation index, and postoperative complications.

While dynamic lung compliance showed no significant difference between the two groups at T1 (P = 0.321), it was significantly higher in the experimental group at all other time points (all P < 0.001). In the control group, Cdyn at T4, T5, T6, and T7 were lower than that at T1 (P = 0.032, 0.043, 0.032 and 0.018, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in the mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Compared to the control group, the experimental group had a higher oxygenation index at T1 (P < 0.001), T2 (P < 0.001), T3 (P < 0.001), T4 (P = 0.02), and T5 (P = 0.016) and significantly lower peak airway pressure at all time points (all P < 0.001). Both groups had comparable postoperative outcomes.

Dexmedetomidine infusion at a loading dose of 0.25 μg/kg and maintenance dose of 0.3 μg/kg/h improved dynamic lung compliance in patients receiving desflurane during general anesthesia.