title: Respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine in the surgical patient requiring intensive care.
abstract: STATEMENT OF FINDINGS: The respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine were retrospectively examined in 33 postsurgical patients involved in a randomised, placebo-controlled trial after extubation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Morphine requirements were reduced by over 50% in patients receiving dexmedetomidine. There were no differences in respiratory rates, oxygen saturations, arterial pH and arterial partial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) between the groups. Interestingly the arterial partial oxygen tension (PaO2) : fractional inspired oxygen (FIO2) ratios were statistically significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group. Dexmedetomidine provides important postsurgical analgesia and appears to have no clinically important adverse effects on respiration in the surgical patient who requires intensive care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Venn
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hell
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Grounds
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine