Dexmedetomidine for sedation in the parturient with respiratory failure requiring noninvasive ventilation.
Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist that possesses both sedative and analgesic properties, with minimal respiratory depression. We report the successful administration of dexmedetomidine on a 16-year-old primigravida woman that allowed the patient to tolerate application  of bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation in treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.
Surgical ICU, Deartment of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Melissa
M
Duan
Jarone
J
Lee
Edward A
EA
Bittner
D000293:Adolescent; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D063087:Noninvasive Ventilation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine