Efficacy of small dose of dexmedetomidine for prevention of adverse effects induced by carboprost in patients undergoing caesarean section

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of small dose of dexmedetomidine for prevention of the adverse effects caused by carboprost in the patients undergoing caesarean section.Methods Forty parturients,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,aged 26-30 yr,weighing 63-71 kg,scheduled for elective caesarean section under epidural anesthesia,were equally and randomly divided into control group (C group) or carboprost group (D group) by using a random number table.After delivery of the fetus,all the patients received iv infusion of 20 U oxytocin and carboprost 250 μg was injected into the myometrium simultaneously.In group D,after a loading dose of dexmedetomidine 0.1 μg/kg,dexmedetomidine was infused at a rate of 0.4 μg· kg-1 · h-1 starting from 1 min prior to carboprost injection until the end of surgery,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Adverse effects such as dyspnea,facial flushing,nausea,vomiting,hypertension and tachycardia were recorded.The OAA/S scores and time for breastfeeding initiation were also recorded at the end of surgery and 2 h after surgery.Results Compared with group C,the incidence of dyspnea,facial flushing,nausea,vomiting,hypertension and tachycardia was significantly decreased in D group.There was no significant difference in OAA/S score and the time for breastfeeding initiation after surgery between the two groups.Conclusion Small-dose dexmedetomidine (loading dose 0.1 μg/kg,followed by infusion at 0.4 μg· kg-1 · h-1 until the end of surgery) infused before carboprost administration is helpful in preventing the adverse gastrointestinal and cardiovascular reactions caused by carboprost in the patients undergoing caesarean section. Key words: Dexmedetomidine ; Cesarean section ; Carboprost