Dobutamine-induced alterations in internal carotid artery blood flow and cerebral blood flow in healthy adults

Fengxia Yu; Dong Liu; Xia Ma; Yawen Liu; Linkun Cai; Erwei Zhao; Zixu Huang; Zhe Zhang; Tingting Zhang; PengGang Qiao; Wei Zheng; Chunyan Guo; Linxue Qian; Pengling Ren; Zhenchang Wang

doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111204

Dobutamine-induced alterations in internal carotid artery blood flow and cerebral blood flow in healthy adults

Brain Res Bull. 2025 Jan 8:221:111204. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111204. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Fengxia Yu¹, Dong Liu², Xia Ma², Yawen Liu³, Linkun Cai⁴, Erwei Zhao⁵, Zixu Huang⁵, Zhe Zhang⁶, Tingting Zhang¹, PengGang Qiao¹, Wei Zheng⁵, Chunyan Guo⁷, Linxue Qian², Pengling Ren⁸, Zhenchang Wang⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
² Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
³ Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China; Precision and Intelligence Medical Imaging Lab, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
⁴ School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China.
⁵ National Space Science Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
⁶ China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 100086, China.
⁷ Department of Cardiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
⁸ Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China. Electronic address: yihan3469@126.com.
⁹ Department of Radiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China; Precision and Intelligence Medical Imaging Lab, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China. Electronic address: cjr.wzhch@vip.163.com.

PMID: 39793667
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111204

Abstract

Purpose: Dobutamine, a sympathomimetic agent, is widely used clinically, influencing cardiac output, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP), which may impact cerebral blood flow (CBF), critical for brain metabolism. However, the effects of dobutamine on CBF and internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow remain unclear, with contradictory reported in both clinical and animal studies. It is necessary to investigate the effects of dobutamine on cervical and cerebral hemodynamics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dobutamine infusion on ICA blood flow and CBF, explore their relationship, and identify factors influencing CBF to facilitate timely monitoring in clinical practice.

Methods: Forty-eight healthy volunteers underwent physiological assessment, ICA ultrasound, and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data before and after the administration of dobutamine. Paired t and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to analyze changes, while logistic regression explored associations between hemodynamic factors and CBF.

Results: Dobutamine infusion significantly increased HR, respiration rate, systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean arterial pressure, while blood oxygen remained stable. Compared with those in the resting state, the peak systolic velocity (Vs), resistance index, pulsatility index, and systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D) increased, whereas end-diastolic velocity (Vd) decreased. ICA diameter and mean velocity showed no significant changes. CBF significantly decreased in the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Logistic regression identified SBP, DBP, and S/D difference as key factors associated with CBF reduction.

Conclusions: Dobutamine altered ICA hemodynamics and reduced CBF in anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Real-time ICA ultrasound monitoring provides valuable guidance during clinical use.

Keywords: Arterial spin labeling; Brain perfusion; Cerebral blood flow; Dobutamine; Internal carotid artery; Ultrasound.