Sole Use of Dexmedetomidine Has Limited Utility for Conscious Sedation during Outpatient Colonoscopy

Abstract

The use of dexmedetomidine to provide analgesia/sedation for colonoscopy is limited by distressing side effects, pronounced hemodynamic instability, prolonged recovery, and a complicated administration regimen.

A Comparison of Dexmedetomidine Versus Propofol on Hypotension During Colonoscopy Under Sedation

“…Their report showed an incidence of hypotension (defined as a 25% or greater drop in systolic blood pressure from pre-sedation value) as 45% that was similar to our result in Group P [5]. Jolowiecki used dexmedetomidine in colonoscopy and observed 4/19 cases of hypotension (MAP=50% of baseline), 2 cases of bradycardia (HR=40 beats/min), 1 case of bigemini ventricular extra systole and 9 cases of pain that required additional opioids in the postoperative [21]. Their study was stopped before planned patients had been recruited because of bradycardia and hypotension.…”

Dexmedetomidine in Current Anaesthesia Practice- A Review

“…It has been safely used in transesophageal echocardiography [18], colonoscopy [19], awake carotid endarterectomy [20], shockwave lithotripsy [15], vitreoretinal surgery [21], peadiatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy [22]. The usual dose of dexmedetomidine for procedural sedation is 1 mcg/ kg, followed by an infusion of 0.2 mcg/kg/h.…”

Effects of Subchronic versus Acute in utero Exposure to Dexmedetomidine on Foetal Developments in Rats

“…Dexmedetomidine is used as the sole agent for sedation in different settings of human anaesthesia [11][12][13][14]. Recently, it has been suggested as a remarkable alternative to midazolam for intravenous administration during dental surgery due to its better analgesic effects without any serious side effects [15].…”