Benefits of IV Clonidine in Premedication on Sympathetic Hyperactivity Related to Surgical Incision

Abstract

Background: Clonidine stimulates the α2 receptors of the sympathetic nervous system which have a negative presynaptic feedback effect inducing a reduction in the secretion of adrenaline and noradrenaline. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of clonidine on the hemodynamic response to surgical incision. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blind clinical trial that took place over a period of 4 months in the anesthesia department of the Essos hospital center in Yaoundé. All patients over the age of 18, ASA I or II, admitted for scheduled surgery were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups by drawing lots: group A (clonidine) and group B (non-clonidine). All patients in group A received clonidine IV (3μg/kg). Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were observed at different times during the surgical procedure. Results: During the study period, 35 met the inclusion criteria: 20 patients for group A and 15 patients for group B. The average age was 34 years. The sex ratio was in favor of the male gender in both groups: 2.3 in group A and 2.7 in group B. ASA class 1 was the most represented (74.3%); visceral surgery most performed of all specialties in the two groups 55% (n=11) for group A and 53% (n=8) for group B. The systolic and diastolic arterial pressure curves are parallel in the two groups. There is a slight variation in PAS and PAD in group A "clonidine" compared to the baseline values. A tendency towards systolic arterial hypertension is observed in the “non-clonidine” control group. The heart rate remains stable in group A, while tachycardia is observed at the same time for the participants in group B. Conclusion: Clonidine is an alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist which makes it possible to limit the hypersecretion of catecholamines, potentially deleterious for the fragile patient, at the surgical incision.