Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of dexmedetomidine-induced vasoconstriction in healthy volunteers

AimsAlpha-2 agonists are direct peripheral vasoconstrictors, which achieve these effects by activating vascular smooth muscle alpha-2 adrenoceptors. The impact of this response during dexmedetomidine infusion remains poorly quantified. Our goal was to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD, vasoconstriction) effects of a computer-controlled dexmedetomidine infusion in healthy volunteers. MethodsAfter local ethics committee approval, we studied 10 healthy volunteers. To study the peripheral vasoconstrictive effect of dexmedetomidine without concurrent sympatholytic effects, sympathetic fibres were blocked with a brachial plexus block. Volunteers received a dexmedetomidine target-controlled infusion for 15min, to a target concentration of 0.3ng ml(-1). Arterial blood samples were collected during and for 60min after dexmedetomidine infusion for PK analysis. Peripheral vasoconstriction (PD) was assessed using finger photoelectric plethysmography. PK/PD analysis was carried out using nonlinear mixed-effect models. ResultsWe found that the computer-controlled infusion pump delivered mean concentrations greater than 0.3ng ml(-1) over the 15-min infusion duration. The peripheral vasoconstrictive effect correlated with dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations during and after the infusion. A three-compartment model provided a better fit to the data than a two-compartment model. ConclusionsWe found that dexmedetomidine-induced vasoconstriction is concentration dependent over time. Dexmedetomidine PK were best estimated by a three-compartment model with allometric scaling. Our results may contribute to future modelling of dexmedetomidine-induced haemodynamic effects.