title: [Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine].
abstract: Alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists have long been used in the treatment of arterial hypertension. However, in that indication they have progressively been replaced by antihypertensive drugs with a more interesting therapeutic profile. Nonetheless, pharmacological activation of alpha-2 adrenoreceptors leads to a variety of clinical effects that are of major interest for anaesthesia and intensive care practice. Indeed, the sedative and analgesic properties of alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists allow a reduction of hypnotic and opioid needs during general anaesthesia. In addition, they induce a down-regulation of the level of consciousness comparable to that of natural slow-wave sleep during post-anaesthesia and intensive care unit stay. These drugs may also prevent some deleterious effects of the sympathetic discharge in response to surgical stress. Furthermore, alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists are potent adjuncts for locoregional anaesthesia. In this article, we will summarize the most frequent applications of alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. We will focus on the clinical data available for the two most representative molecules of this pharmacological class: clonidine and dexmedetomidine.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mavropoulos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minguet
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Brichant
mesh_terms: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000758:Anesthesia; D003000:Clonidine; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007362:Intensive Care Units
chemical_list: D058647:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D003000:Clonidine