Objective This study was performed to determine the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) administration on myocardial damage in cardiac surgery with sevoflurane postconditioning. Methods We retrospectively examined all cardiac valve replacement surgeries from 1 April 2016 to 30 April 2017. Eligible patients were divided into two groups based on whether DEX was infused. DEX infusion was permitted only between intubation and the beginning of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Sevoflurane was inhaled via the standard postconditioning procedure starting at aortic declamping. The cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level was measured at different time points. The postoperative outcomes and complications were also analyzed. Results One hundred patients were included in the study (DEX group, n = 53; non-DEX group, n = 47). Increased cTnI levels were significantly correlated with the New York Heart Association classification, CPB time, and DEX use. DEX use and the CPB time were potential independent factors contributing to changes in the cTnI level. The cTnI level at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively was remarkably lower in the DEX than non-DEX group by 1.14, 7.83, and 5.86 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions DEX decreased the cTnI level after CPB when sevoflurane postconditioning was used, especially at 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively.
eComment: Is early assessment of cardiac troponin I a valuable predictor of mortality after cardiac surgery?
