Summary
α2-agonists have been extensively used and studied in anaesthesia and intensive care
medicine. A list of benefits includes anxiolysis, blood pressure stabilization, analgesia,
anaesthetic sparing effects and sedation without respiratory depression or significant
cognitive impairment. Fear of inadvertent hypotension, bradycardia or post-operative
sedation, and the variability of the haemodynamic response to different doses or rates
of administration, have meant that universal acceptance in clinical practice has not
yet been seen.
Recently, the actions of these agents on the α2-adrenoreceptor and the imidazoline receptor have been more accurately identified,
helping to explain the differences between the actions of various agents. The two
readily available agents, clonidine and dexmedetomidine have already been used in
many different anaesthetic situations, for a wide variety of surgical procedures.
We believe that both of these α2-agonists are useful adjuncts for the management of the neurosurgical patient during
surgery, and in the intensive care unit.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 1,
2004
Received:
April 20,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
