title: Effects of a single pre-operative dexmedetomidine dose on isoflurane requirements and peri-operative haemodynamic stability.
abstract: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study we investigated the effect of a single pre-induction intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 2 micrograms.kg-1 on anaesthetic requirements and peri-operative haemodynamic stability in 50 patients undergoing minor orthopaedic and general surgery. Patients were anaesthetised with nitrous oxide/oxygen/fentanyl, supplemented if necessary with isoflurane. The mean (SD) intra-operative isoflurane concentration was lower in the dexmedetomidine-treated patients than controls (0.01 (0.03)% compared to 0.1 (0.1)%; p = 0.001) although 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 was intra-operative heart rate variability; postoperative analgesic and anti-emetic requirements and peri-operative serum catecholamine concentrations were lower in the dexmedetomidine group. Hypotension and bradycardia occurred more frequently after dexmedetomidine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Lange
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine; D008875:Middle Aged; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D007093:Imidazoles; D007530:Isoflurane; D020926:Medetomidine