M. Halpenny et al., The effects of fenoldopam on coronary conduit blood flow after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, J CARDIOTHO, 15(1), 2001, pp. 72-76
Objective: To quantify the effects of fenoldopam, 0.1 mug/ kg/min, on left
internal mammary artery (LIMA) and saphenous vein blood flow after coronary
anastomosis.
Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Setting: University teaching hospital, single institution.
Participants: Thirty-one American Society of Anesthesiologists III patients
undergoing elective coronary revascularization.
Interventions: A perivascular ultrasonic flow probe (Linton Instrumentation
, Norfolk, UK) was placed around the LIMA and saphenous vein graft after co
ronary anastomosis.
Measurements and Main Results: Immediately before and at 5-minute intervals
for 15 minutes after starting the infusion, blood flow was measured in the
LIMA and one saphenous vein graft using a transit time ultrasonic flow pro
be. Heart rate, blood pressure, and central venous pressure were documented
at these time points. Administration of fenoldopam, 0.1 mug/kg/min, did no
t alter heart rate or blood pressure. A small, nonsignificant increase in L
IMA blood flow occurred during the 15-minute study period (30 +/- 12 to 35
+/- 10 mL/min) in patients who received fenoldopam. No significant changes
occurred in the placebo group.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that fenoldopam, 0.1 mug/kg/min, did not
influence coronary conduit blood flow to a clinically significant extent.
The small increase in LIMA blood flow may be of greater importance in high-
risk patients or in the prevention of coronary arterial spasm. Copyright (C
) 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.