title: Prolonged Infusion of Dexmedetomidine in Critically-ill Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe main indications, doses, length of infusion and side effects related to dexmedetomidine infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational and retrospective study evaluating dexmedetomidine use in pediatric intensive care unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  77 children received dexmedetomidine infusion longer than 6 hours for mechanical ventilation weaning (32.5%), post- neurosurgery and post-upper airway surgery (24.7%), non-invasive ventilation (13%), refractory tachycardia (6.5%) and other causes (23.3%). After 6 hours of infusion, significant decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate was observed in all groups. Six children (8%) required withdrawal of drug because of possible side effects: hypotension, bradycardia and somnolence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine may be used as sedative in critically ill children without much side effects.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre and Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Department Medical School UFRGS University, Brazil. Correspondence to: Cinara Andreolio Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350 Zip Code 90035003. cinarandreolio@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Cinara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andreolio
authors.forename: Jefferson Pedro
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Piva
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baldasso
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferlini
authors.forename: Rafaela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piccoli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016638:Critical Illness; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine