Comparison of Anti-sympathetic Activity between Dexmedetomidine and Metoprolol Tartrate in Patients with Acute Left Heart Failure

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of anti-sympathetic activity of dexmedetomidine and metoprolol tartrate in treating patients with acute left ventricular failure. One hundred thirty-seven patients with acute left heart failure were divided into the control (C), metoprolol tartrate (M), and dexmedetomidine (D) groups. Their pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO), cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), extravascular lung water (EVLWI), and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were assessed to evaluate the state of cardiac function before treatment (T-0), and on the first day (T-1), second day (T-2), third day (T-3), fourth day (T-4), and fifth day (T-5) after treatment. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) levels were assessed to evaluate sympathetic activity at T-0, T-1, T-3, and T-5. On T-3, the CI of groups M and D was higher than that of group C (P < 0.05). The EVLWI of groups M and D was significantly lower than that of group C (P < 0.05). Plasma BNP levels of groups M and D on T3 were significantly lower than those at T-0 (P < 0.05). The concentrations of plasma NE and E in groups M and D at T3 and T5 were significantly lower than the To levels (P < 0.05), and there was no difference between groups. Dexmedetomidine and metoprolol tartrate have the same anti-sympathetic activity and can be used in patients with acute left heart failure.