A study on intra-operative and post-operative effects of dexmedetomidine on haemodynamic stress responses to surgeries

Abstract

Stress response usually involves hormonal and metabolic changes which follow injury or trauma. Many of the manoeuvres, such as laparoscopic surgeries, laryngoscopies, tracheal intubation and extubation involve sympathetic stimulation. Dexmedetomidine is a specific and short acting alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist and a potent drugwhich decreases sympathetic tone, with attenuation of the neuroendocrine and hemodynamic responses to anaesthesia and surgery; reduces anaesthetic and opioid requirements; and causes sedation and analgesia.100 patients between the ages of 18-60 years, with ASA score of I and II and scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia were included in the study and divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group I was given saline solution as Placebo and Group II was given 100 μg/ml of Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride. The data collection was performed every 2 minutes during induction of anaesthesia and for 10 minutes after tracheal intubation. The need for post operative analgesia was decided according to the visual analogue scale. Dexmedetomidine reduced the heart rate significantly (P<0.05) in comparison to the baseline values at 15 and 30 minutes, and compared to the control group. The heart rate values recorded after 15, 60,120,180 minutes, in PACU were significantly less in Dexmedetomidine group in comparison to control group.The perioperative infusion of Dexmedetomidine appears to be effective to attenuate stress induced haemodynamic fluctuation, reduced Propofol requirements, decreased the intra and post-operative narcotic analgesic administration, produced perioperative sedation in patients.