Comparison Between Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Patients in the Intensive Care Unit After Abdominal Surgery

Comparison Between Dexmedetomidine and Propofol for Postoperative Sedation of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit After Abdominal Surgery: Microcirculation, Kidney Injury, and Intestinal Injury

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02874768

Enrollment

Registered

2016-08-22

Start date

2016-08-31

Completion date

2018-07-20

Last updated

2019-03-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Microcirculation

Brief summary

This is a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery will be enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: dexmedetomidine group and propofol group. In the dexmedetomidine group, patients will receive continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine (infusion dosage range: 0.1 \ 0.7 mcg/kg/h). In the propofol group, patients will receive continuous intravenous infusion of propofol (infusion dosage range: 0.3 \ 1.6 mg/kg/h). Hemodynamics will be continuously monitored using a non-invasive monitoring with chest bioreactance technique at preset time points (0, 2, 4, 6, 12h and 24h). Clinical data such as vital signs, hemodynamic parameters, laboratory results and fluid balance will be recorded. The microcirculation will be examined by Cytocam. The following microcirculatory parameters will be investigated: total small vessel density, perfused small vessel density, microvascular flow index, and heterogeneity index. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays will be used to measure serum level of endocan, diamine oxidase, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin at preset time points. The primary goal of this study is to compare the effect on microcirculation between dexmedetomidine and propofol in intensive care unit patients after abdominal surgery.

Interventions

DRUGDexmedetomidine

Patient receives continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine (infusion dosage range: 0.1 \ 0.7 mcg/kg/h)

DRUGPropofol

Patient receives continuous intravenous infusion of propofol (infusion dosage range: 0.3 \ 1.6 mg/kg/h)

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

20 Years to 89 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* non-emergent major abdominal surgery with ICU admission * the need of sedation during ICU stay

Exclusion criteria

* age younger than 20 years and older than 89 years * refractory bradycardia (HR \< 60 bpm after treatment) * severe AV block (2nd or 3rd degree) * refractory shock (MAP \< 60 mm Hg after treatment) * severe heart failure or NYHA 4 * new onset of myocardial infarction within 4 weeks * receive CPR within 4 weeks * APACHE score \> 30 before enrollment * severe liver cirrhosis or CHILD B or C * pregnancy * allergic history to dexmedetomidine or propofol * be enrolled in other clinical trials related to dexmedetomidine or propofol within 4 weeks * non-native speakers

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Total perfused small vessel density	6 hours

Countries

Taiwan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026