Abstract Purpose:

To evaluate the effects of single intravenous administration of Dexmedetomidine (DEX) on hemodynamics in rabbits.

Methods:

A total of 32 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into the control group (Group C), Group D1 (2.75 μg/kg), Group D2 (5.5 μg/kg), and Group D3 (8.25 μg/kg) to compare systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-stage diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular developmental pressure (LVDP), +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax, and t-dp/dtmax at different time points.

Results:

The levels of SBP, DBP, HR, LVSP, and LVEDP in Group D1, D2, and D3 were lower than that of Group C from T1 to T5 (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at T6 and T7 (P>0.05). Compared with T0, the levels of SBP, DBP, HR, LVSP, LVEDP, and left arterial pressure (LAP) from T1 to T7 were decreased (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the other indexes (P>0.05).

Conclusion:

Dexmedetomidine can decrease blood pressure and heart rate in rabbits in a dose-dependent manner, but there is no effect on the myocardial systolic and diastolic function.