Effects of Continuous Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Systemic Microvascular Function in Laparoscopic Cholecystecthomy

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The microcirculation represents the primary site of exchange of oxygen and nutrients for tissues, and the preservation of microcirculatory perfusion is essential for the maintenance of organ function. The microcirculation is extremely dynamic and may vary according to the individual's temperature, systemic blood pressure, the use of medications, during physical and mental activity, age and pathological processes. In this context, the development of portable microscopes for clinical use has made possible the non-invasive visualization of the microcirculation and tissue perfusion in patients undergoing several highly complex procedures in cardiology, including cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) and in critically ill patients in intensive care. CytoCam, for example, is a handheld device that incorporates a darkfield incident light illumination system with a series of high-resolution lenses that project images to a computer dedicated to the system. Dexmedetomidine is a selective agonist of 2-adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, whose administration results in a reduction in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and a reduction in the systemic release of catecholamines. Its use in the perioperative period has several beneficial effects, such as reducing neuroendocrine and hemodynamic responses due to anesthesia and surgery, through induction of sedation and analgesia, in addition to reducing the consumption of opioids and anesthetics in general. Several recent studies report that the use of dexmedetomidine in the perioperative period reduces the incidence of postoperative complications, reduces the time on mechanical ventilation and attenuates the neuroendocrine response due to surgical trauma and extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. However, the effects of dexmedetomidine on systemic microcirculation function during its use in anesthesia for elective surgical procedures of medium complexity are not yet known. In conclusion, the hypothesis of the present study is that continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine during balanced general anesthesia increases the microvascular perfusion flow rate in the sublingual mucosa, representing an increase in systemic microvascular perfusion.

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