Sandeep Prithviraj Pandharpurkar1
BACKGROUND
Dexmedetomidine is a potent, highly selective α2 adrenoreceptor agonist. The α2:α1 binding selectivity ratio of dexmedetomidine is 1620:1 compared to 220:1 for clonidine. Dexmedetomidine is available as 100 μg/mL strength in 0.5 mL, 1 mL and 2 mL ampoules. Rapid administration of dexmedetomidine infusion (loading dose of 1 μg/kg if given in less than 10 minutes) may cause transient hypertension. Dexmedetomidine at IV doses of 0.33 to 1 μg/kg given 15 minutes before surgery can minimise the cardiovascular side effects. Intramuscular dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1 μg/kg for premedication resulted in sedation and decrease in intraocular pressure without significant haemodynamic effects. Dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg has been used effectively via nasal route as premedication. Dexmedetomidine possesses anxiolytic, sedative, analgesic, antisialogogue and sympatholytic properties. It potentiates the action of all intraoperative anaesthetics and decreases perioperative oxygen consumption.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted on 400 patients posted for elective surgery under general anaesthesia in Department of Anaesthesiology, ESIC Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka, the study was conducted from 2011 to 2015.
RESULTS
Patients were randomly allocated to one of the four study groups i.e. group A, B, C, D by computer generated sequence to receive a study drug diluted to 20 mL via an infusion pump over 20 minutes. Modified Aldrete’s Score was noted immediately and 15 minutes post extubation.
CONCLUSION
We noted no significant difference in recovery characteristics between groups ten minutes after extubation (p=0.155).
