Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on renal vascular function and renovascular histopathology in ovine…

Animal / preclinicalIntensive care medicine experimental· Dec 2025

Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on renal vascular function and renovascular histopathology in ovine cardiopulmonary bypass.

Ashenafi H Betrie, Alemayehu H Jufar, Roger G Evans … Yugeesh R Lankadeva

Cardiac & Thoracic AnesthesiaAnimal / preclinicalQ1IF 2.6

Dexmedetomidine during bypass increased renal artery sensitivity to phenylephrine 2.3-fold in sheep

Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on renal vascular function and renovascular histopathology in ovine cardiopulmonary bypass.

Ashenafi H Betrie … Yugeesh R Lankadeva

Intensive care medicine experimental · Dec 2025

Background

Cardiopulmonary bypass (cardiopulmonary bypass) is integral to the conduct of cardiac surgery but is associated with postoperative acute kidney injury (acute kidney injury).

Purpose

Here, we aimed to determine whether dexmedetomidine during cardiopulmonary bypass induces changes in renal vascular reactivity or endothelial integrity that could explain focal renal tubular injury.

Methods

Animals were randomly allocated to dexmedetomidine (0.4-0.8 µg/kg/h, n = 7) or fluid-matched saline (n = 7) from induction of anesthesia to end-cardiopulmonary bypass.

n = 7

Results

dexmedetomidine made renal arteries constrict more easily in response to phenylephrine

Dexmedetomidine

5.82pEC₅₀

Saline

5.45pEC₅₀

More results

Histology revealed intact endothelial architecture and no damage to endothelial integrity in all groups.

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Perioperative dexmedetomidine during cardiopulmonary bypass enhanced α₁-adrenergic vasoconstrictor sensitivity in renal interlobar arteries without disrupting endothelial integrity or compromising renal blood flow or intrarenal perfusion.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

The enhanced vasoreactivity may contribute to focal renal ischaemia and tubular injury during cardiopulmonary bypass, which cannot be detected by in vivo measurements of global and regional kidney perfusion and oxygenation.

Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on renal vascular function and renovascular histopathology in ovine cardiopulmonary bypass.

Effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on renal vascular function and renovascular histopathology in ovine cardiopulmonary bypass.

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