Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Blood Pressure in Hypertension Patients after Emergency Laparotomy for Trauma: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Trial

Background: Patients with a history of hypertension experience higher postoperative complications than healthy individuals. The frequency of such complications is also higher in emergency patients than elective ones; therefore, it seems that preventive measures are essential. Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the effect of dexmedetomidine on blood pressure in patients with hypertension after emergency laparotomy for trauma. Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial performed from 2019 to 2020 on patients with a history of hypertension undergoing emergency laparotomy. Patients received the intervention 15 minutes before surgery (the intervention group: intravenous (iv) dexmedetomidine and the control group: normal saline), and the intensity of the pain(VAS), agitation(RASS), and blood pressure were measured and compared at different time points. Data were compared using SPSS software (version 21) by t-test and Chi-square tests considering a significance level of <0.05. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the two groups just after the drug infusion and at all studied time points (p <0.05), so that the intervention group had more stable blood pressure. Pain intensity (p <0.05) and the degree of agitation (p <0.05) in the intervention group were significantly lower than that in the control group at all studied time points. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine infusion leads to a stabilization of blood pressure during surgery and after surgery, pain relief, and agitation in patients with hypertension undergoing emergency laparotomy for trauma.