title: Dexmedetomidine for conscious sedation in difficult awake fiberoptic intubation cases.
abstract: Currently used methods of sedation for fiberoptic intubation such as benzodiazepines, propofol, or opioids have their limitations. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that has been used clinically for its sympatholytic, analgesic, and sedative properties. We report on 4 patients with particularly difficult airways who underwent successful awake fiberoptic intubation with DEX. Dexmedetomidine was used to provide a moderate level of conscious sedation without causing respiratory distress or hemodynamic instability during fiberoptic intubation.
authors: Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210-1228, USA. sergio.bergese@osumc.edu
authors: Sergio D
authors: SD
authors: Bergese
authors: Babak
authors: B
authors: Khabiri
authors: William D
authors: WD
authors: Roberts
authors: Michael B
authors: MB
authors: Howie
authors: Thomas D
authors: TD
authors: McSweeney
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Gerhardt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000150:complications*; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000150:complications; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D020927:Dexmedetomidine