Dexmedetomidine sedation in a pediatric cardiac patient scheduled for MRI.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of dexmedetomidine for sedation in a critically ill infant undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
A nine-month-old 5.1 kg infant was to have an MRI study of the thorax. The infant had multiple congenital cardiac anomalies which had been partially corrected surgically. After administration of atropine, 0.1 mg iv, a loading dose of dexmedetomidine (1 microg.kg(-1) iv) was administered over ten minutes followed by a continuous infusion of 0.5 microg.kg(-1).hr(-1) for maintenance. Propofol 5 mg iv were administered after the loading dose of dexemedetomidine to produce somnolence. Anesthetic conditions for performing the MRI were excellent. The infant remained motionless, breathing spontaneously. Hemodynamics remained stable throughout the procedure. Recovery was rapid and uneventful.


CONCLUSIONS
Dexmedetomidine and a small dose of propofol were used successfully to sedate a critically ill infant for MRI. More studies are required to determine the role of this unique drug in the pediatric population.
Young
Elizabeth T
ET
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. Eyoung@ochsner.org
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D016638:Critical Illness; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012119:Respiration; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D015742:Propofol