EFFECT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE ON HEMODYNAMIC PARAMETERS DURING EXTUBATION. A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED DOUBLE BLIND STUDY.

Background: Extubation is known to produce significant hemodynamic disturbances. There is a need to avoid increase in heart rate and blood pressure in hypertensive and cardiac patients and in vascular, neuro and intraocular surgeries.

Aims: To study the ability of dexmedetomidine to attenuate the hemodynamic responses during extubation.

Materials and methods: 80 patients of ASA Grade I-II aged 18-50 years received standard anesthesia. At the closure of skin incision, patients were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg (Group D) or saline placebo (Group C) intravenously over 10 minutes in a double-blind design. Heart rate (HR), systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures (SBP, DBP, MAP) were assessed before, during- and after extubation. Time to eye opening and extubation, sedation, complications such as coughing, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and desaturation were recorded.

Results: HR, SBP, DBP and MAP were comparable to basal values in group D at extubation and lower than baseline values post-extubation but significant increase was noted in group C (P <0.001). Time to extubation and eye opening were prolonged in Group D (P <0.001). Incidence of hypotension was more in group D (22%) but was transient. Incidence of coughing was lower in Group D than in group C (P <0.001). Patients in group D were more sedated for 30 minutes post extubation.

Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg given before extubation attenuates hemodynamic reflexes during emergence from anesthesia without causing undue sedation, but prolongs time to extubation.