Abstract
We herein report our experiences of 12 cases, where dexmedetomidine (Dex) was continuously administered postoperatively for sedation. The method of administration was assessed. The 12 cases consisted of 9 male and 3 female patients. The mean starting dose of Dex was 3.5±1.2μg/kg/h. The mean maintenance dose was 0.2-0.5μg/kg/h. The mean total dose was 494.9±263.2μg. Two of the 12 cases revealed rapid increases in blood pressure. Postoperatively, one of the 2 cases had a blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg and pulse rate of 90 beats/min. Since elevation of blood pressure rose to 160/110 mmHg with the commencement of Dex administration at a starting dose of 6μg/kg/h, this dose was reduced to 0.6μgkg/h. As for the other case, the pulse rate was recorded as 90 beats/min and the blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg. As for this case also elevation of blood pressure to 165/90 mmHg was recorded with the commencement of Dex administration at a starting dose of 6μg/kg/h, this dose was also reduced to 0.6μg/kg/h. When Dex is administered after implementation of general anesthesia, as revealed by our present cases, it may be necessary to control both the commencement dose and the maintenance dose with utmost attention focused on the respiratory function of the patients. From our experiences in postoperative systemic management of these 12 cases, the appropriate rate for initial administration dose of Dex in postoperative sedation is suggested to be 3μg/kg/h for 20 minutes and the appropriate maintenance dose was 0.2-0.7μg/kg/h.
