Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Recovery Profiles of Elderly Patients

Emergence of elderly patients from anesthesia may face with cognitive dysfunction or agitation such as delirium. There are reports that using dexmedetomidine as a adjuvant for general anesthesia decreased emergence-agitation in children and dexmedetomidine may be used for treating deliriums. Thus, we thought that dexmedetomidine as a adjuvant agent may be a help to smooth emergence from anesthesia in elderly. The aims of this study were to investigate the recovery characteristics (time to recovery of consciousness (ROC) and recovery, bispectral index (BIS) values at ROC and orientation, and Ricker sedation-agitated scale at the postanesthetic care unit) and safety (vital signs during and after administration of dexmedetomidine) of dexmedetomidine in elderly patients undergoing elective surgery.