Dexmedetomidine improves function of lung oxygenation in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent lung cancer surgery

Abstract

To determine whether dexmedetomidine (Dex) improves oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during lung cancer surgery. Methods: Fifty-six patients with moderate COPD were randomly allocated to a control group and a Dex group (n=28 each). In the Dex group, dexmedetomidine was given as an initial loading dose at 1.0 μg/kg lasting for 10 min followed by a maintenance dose at 0.5 μg/(kg.h) during OLV while the control group was administered an equal volume of 0.9% saline accordingly. Results: Patients in the Dex group had a significantly higher oxygenation index (P<0.05) and higher dynamic lung compliance at Dex-30 and Dex-60 (P<0.05) compared with those in the control group. In the Dex group, oxygenation index in the postoperative period was significantly higher (P= 0.025) and postoperative complications were lower than those in the control group. Conclusion: Dex administration may provide clinically relevant benefits by improving o xygenation index and lung mechanics, and reducing postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with moderate COPD underwent lung cancer surgery.