December 16, 2008Anesthesia & Analgesia
Caution Is Necessary When Dexmedetomidine Is Used Off-Label, Especially When Combined with Other Sedatives
Key result
Dexmedetomidine use during electrophysiologic procedures may contribute to profound cardiogenic shock, particularly in patients dependent on high sympathetic tone or with preexisting hypovolemia.
Population
Patients undergoing procedures such as atrial fibrillation ablation who may depend on high sympathetic tone…
Design
Editorial
Authors
Discussion
Loading...
Member takes
Implication
Dexmedetomidine should be avoided as an anesthetic agent in patients dependent on high sympathetic tone or undergoing procedures where complications may require high sympathetic tone, due to the risk of profound cardiogenic shock.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Two patients who developed profound cardiogenic shock associated with dexmedetomidine use during electrophysiologic procedures.
E
Exposure
Dexmedetomidine
O
Outcome
Cardiogenic shocksafety
Dexmedetomidine should be avoided as an anesthetic agent in patients dependent on high sympathetic tone or undergoing procedures where complications may require high sympathetic tone, due to the risk of profound cardiogenic shock.
Limitations
- Case report/anecdotal evidence
Cite This Study
Sichrovsky et al. (2008) conducted a letter in Cardiogenic shock (n=2). Dexmedetomidine was evaluated on Cardiogenic shock. Dexmedetomidine use during electrophysiologic procedures may contribute to profound cardiogenic shock, particularly in patients dependent on high sympathetic tone or with preexisting hypovolemia.