title: Randomised double-blind comparative study of dexmedetomidine and tramadol for post-spinal anaesthesia shivering.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dexmedetomidine (α2 adrenergic agonist) has been used for prevention of post anaesthesia shivering. Its use for the treatment of post-spinal anaesthesia shivering has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy, haemodynamic and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine with those of tramadol, when used for control of post-spinal anaesthesia shivering.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, randomised, and double-blind study was conducted in 50 American Society of Anaesthesiologists Grade I and II patients of either gender, aged between 18 and 65 years, scheduled for various surgical procedures under spinal anaesthesia. The patients were randomised in two groups of 25 patients each to receive either dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg or tramadol 0.5 mg/kg as a slow intravenous bolus. Grade of shivering, onset of shivering, time for cessation of shivering, recurrence, response rate, and adverse effects were observed at scheduled intervals. Unpaired t-test was used for analysing the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time taken for cessation of shivering was significantly less with dexmedetomidine when compared to tramadol. Nausea and vomiting was observed only in tramadol group (28% and; 20% respectively). There was not much difference in the sedation profile of both the drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that although both drugs are effective, the time taken for cessation of shivering is less with dexmedetomidine when compared to tramadol. Moreover, dexmedetomidine has negligible adverse effects, whereas tramadol is associated with significant nausea and vomiting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Kanchan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Sunil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katyal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaushal
keywords: Dexmedetomidine; post-spinal anaesthesia shivering; tramadol