Clonidine premedication improves metabolic control in type 2 diabetic patients during ophthalmic surgery.
BACKGROUND
In stressful conditions, increasing blood glucose concentrations are closely related to an increase in catecholamines and cortisol release. Clonidine, a centrally acting alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist, has neuroendocrine effects, including inhibition of sympathoadrenal activity. We therefore evaluated the effect of clonidine on blood glucose control and insulin requirements during ophthalmic surgery when given as premedication in type 2 diabetic patients.


METHODS
After randomization, patients were premedicated with clonidine or flunitrazepam (control). Patients were given insulin by continuous i.v. infusion to maintain blood glucose in the range 5.5-11.1 mmol litre(-1). Blood glucose concentrations were measured every 15 min during surgery, and hourly for 6 h after surgery. Plasma C-peptide and counter-regulatory hormones were also measured.


RESULTS
Glycaemia was significantly lower in the clonidine group (P<0.01) and the median amount of insulin administered was significantly reduced: clonidine group 9.0 (interquartile range 5.1) units; control 18.6 (10.2) units; P<0.01). Plasma catecholamine concentrations were lower in patients given clonidine (P<0.05) but there was no difference in cortisol concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Premedication of type 2 diabetic patients with clonidine 90 min before surgery improves blood glucose control and decreases insulin requirements during ophthalmic surgery.
Belhoula
M
M
Department of Anaesthesia, Hôpital l'Archet, 151 Route de Saint Antoine de Ginestière BP, F-3079-06202 Nice, Cedex 3, France.
Ciébiéra
J P
JP
De La Chapelle
A
A
Boisseau
N
N
Coeurveille
D
D
Raucoules-Aimé
M
M
D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D003000:Clonidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication / Q000379:methods*; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013565:Sympatholytics; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D003000:Clonidine