title: Does dopexamine influence regional vascular tone and oxygenation during intestinal hypotension?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Local effects of dopexamine on intestinal vascular tone and oxygenation were investigated during intestinal hypotension. To this end, we employed an experimental model, in which the superior mesenteric arterial pressure (PSMA) was controlled by an adjustable perivascular clamp. This approach enabled us to keep the intestinal perfusion pressure (IPP) constant in the face of any systemic circulatory alterations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 11 barbiturate-anesthetized pigs, we instrumented the superior mesenteric circulation for assessments of vascular resistance (RMES), IPP, jejunal mucosal perfusion (Laser Doppler) and intestinal tissue oxygenation (microoximetry). Measurements were carried out before and during dopexamine infusions (0.5 and 1.0 micro g.kg-1.min-1) at a freely variable PSMA (i.e. the perivascular clamp fully open) and at a PSMA of 50 mmHg and 30 mmHg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a constant PSMA of 50 mmHg, dopexamine had no significant intestinal vascular effects. However, at a constant PSMA of 30 mmHg, both doses of dopexamine were associated with decreases in RMES. Effects of dopexamine on intestinal oxygen delivery and extraction were minimal during these procedures, while a minor decrease in intestinal tissue oxygen tension was observed during dopexamine administration at the lowest IPP level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At very low intestinal perfusion pressures (approximately 30 mmHg) dopexamine produces intestinal vasodilation in excess of what is produced by intrinsic autoregulation. This suggests that there is a vasodilatory reserve in the intestine under such conditions and that a pharmacological vasodilator like dopexamine may improve intestinal circulation during regional severe hypotension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, and Surgery, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. stefan.lehtipalo.us@vll.se
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lehtipalo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biber
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fröjse
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arnerlöv
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Winsö
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004298:Dopamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D007022:Hypotension / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D017538:Mesenteric Artery, Superior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013552:Swine; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D019344:Lactic Acid; C046318:dopexamine; D010100:Oxygen; D004298:Dopamine