Utility of Dexmedetomidine in Paediatric Cardiac Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine is a selector α 2-agonist that provides sedation with sparing respiratory depression, anxiolysis, and analgesic adjunct with opioids and benzodiazepines sparing effects, prolongs the duration of regional anesthesia and allows early tracheal extubation after pediatric cardiac surgery.[1,2,3 ] Recently, dexmedetomidine has been established as a cardioprotective agent in adult cardiac surgical patients. Some trials show significantly lower myocardial injury markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and creatinine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), after cardiac surgery in the dexmedetomidine group.[ ] The majority of published studies have suggested that dexmedetomidine is a seemingly efficacious agent protecting against cardiac injury during CPB.[6] Its administration lowers mechanical ventilation period, ICU stay, and length of hospital stay after pediatric cardiac surgery. In addition, it is effective against postoperative shivering, refractory JET rhythm and Tet spells, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in cyanotic pediatric patients undergoing corrective surgery. However, studies on its application in pediatric heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) remain limited. This systematic review aimed to provide information on the utility of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery using CPB: hemodynamic stability, cardioprotective, renal protection, neuroprotective effects, control of refractory JET, and Tet spells, and the early and late outcome.