Intravenous Dexmedetomidine for Emergence Delirium in Pediatric Patient

Various pharmacological interventions in peri-operative period have been used in literature to prevent ED which include use of propofol, fentanyl, ketamine, clonidine, midazolam and dexmedetomidine etc (5). Dexmedetomidine is a potent highly selective alpha-2 agonist. Its effect on the receptors in brain results in sedation resembling non-REM sleep with minimal respiratory depression (6). It has been used as continuous infusion or as fixed dose in the range between 0.15 mcg/kg to 2 mcg/kg to prevent ED in children (7, 8, 9). Higher doses result in better prevention of ED at the expense of more hemodynamic disturbances and longer PACU stay (9) while lower doses were not as effective (7). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of fixed dose of 0.2 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine in prevention of emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia.