Cj. Lawrence et S. Delange, EFFECTS OF A SINGLE PREOPERATIVE DEXMEDETOMIDINE DOSE ON ISOFLURANE REQUIREMENTS AND PERIOPERATIVE HEMODYNAMIC STABILITY, Anaesthesia, 52(8), 1997, pp. 736-744
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study we investigated the effect
of a single pre-induction intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 2 mu g.
kg(-1) on anaesthetic requirements and peri-operative haemodynamic sta
bility in 50 patients undergoing minor orthopaedic and general surgery
. Patients were anaesthetised with nitrous oxide/oxygen/fentanyl, supp
lemented if necessary with isoflurane. The mean (SD) intra-operative i
soflurane concentration was lower in the dexmedetomidine-treated patie
nts than controls (0.01 (0.03)% compared to 0.1 (0.1)%; p = 0.001) alt
hough six of the 25 treated patients required isoflurane at some stage
. The haemodynamic response to tracheal intubation and extubation was
reduced in the dexmedetomidine group as uas intra-operative heart rate
variability; postoperative analgesic and anti-emetic requirements and
peri-operative serum catecholamine concentrations were lower in the d
exmedetomidine group. Hypotension and bradycardia occurred more freque
ntly after dexmedetomidine.