title: [Synergistic effect between dexmedetomidine and 0.75% ropivacaine in epidural anesthesia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics of epidural anesthesia performed with 0.75% ropivacaine associated with dexmedetomidine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients scheduled for hernia repair or varicose vein surgeries under epidural anesthesia participated in this study. They were assigned to: Control Group (n = 20), 0.75% ropivacaine, 20 ml (150 mg); and Dexmedetomidine Group (n = 20), 0.75% ropivacaine, 20 ml (150 mg), plus dexmedetomidine, 1 mg x kg-1. The following variables were studied: total analgesic block onset time, upper level of analgesia, analgesic and motor block duration time, intensity of motor block, state of consciousness, hemodynamics, postoperative analgesia and incidence of side-effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epidural dexmedetomidine did not affect onset time or upper level of anesthesia (p > 0.05) however it prolonged sensory and motor block duration time (p < 0.05) and postoperative analgesia (p < 0.05), and also resulted in a more intense motor block, l (p < 0.05). Values of bispectral index were lower in Dexmedetomidine Group (p < 0.05). There was no difference in incidence of hypotension and bradycardia (p > 0.05). Occurrence of side-effects (shivering, vomiting and SpO2 < 90%) was low and similar between groups (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is clear synergism between epidural dexmedetomidine and ropivacaine, further this drug association does not bring about additional morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Base da Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP.
authors.forename: Paula Fialho Saraiva
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Salgado
authors.forename: Amália Tieco
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Sabbag
authors.forename: Priscila Costa da
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Sergio Luís Aparecido
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Brienze
authors.forename: Helio Pontes
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Dalto
authors.forename: Norma Sueli Pinheiro
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Módolo
authors.forename: José Reinaldo Cerqueira
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Braz
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D000077212:Ropivacaine