The effects of dexmedetomidine on human internal mammary artery and saphenous vein grafts under hypothermia and normothermia

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of hypothermia and normothermia on the isolated human saphenous vein (SV) and internal mammary artery (IMA) responses to dexmedetomidine. METHODS: The response of human IMA and SV strips with (E+) and without (E-) endothelium subjected to cumulative concentrations of (10-9, 0-6 M) dexmedetomidine were recorded at 37 °C and at 28 °C. OnE-way ANOVA was used for analysis. A p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At 37°C dexmedetomidine resulted in similar significant concentration-dependent contractions in both E+ and E- SV strips (p < 0.05). At 37 °C dexmedetomidine resulted in significant concentration-dependent contractions in E+ IMA strips, these contractions were significantly lower at all concentrations of dexmedetomidine in E- compared to E+ IMA strips (p < 0.05). When results between similar groups of SV and IMA strips were compared, the contractions were significantly higher in the IMA strips in E+ and E- at 37 °C and also E- 28 °C groups compared to SV (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, dexmedetomidine causes in vitro vasoconstriction in human IMA and SV grafts. These contractions are greater in IMA compared to SV grafts. Endothelium-derived pathways are possibly involved in the contractile responses of IMA. Moderate hypothermia augments vasoconstriction in SV grafts.