The effects of different loading doses of dexmedetomidine on sedation

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is a useful sedative drug with various uses. We designed this study to investigate the clinical effects and complications of different loading doses, 0.5 and 1.0 µg/kg. METHODS: Forty six patients, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II, who required elective and emergency operation under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to group L or group H. Group L received a loading dose of 0.5 µg/kg for 10 minutes while group H received 1.0 µg/kg. Bispectral index (BIS), systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and Ramsay score were recorded at T(0) (before loading), T(L) (just after loading) and T(10, 20, 30) (10, 20, 30 minutes after T(L)). Complications, drug use, lowest BIS and time to reach BIS 80 after termination of dexmedetomidine were recorded during this study. RESULTS: In group H, BIS value decreased significantly after T(L) compared to the baseline (T(0)), while in group L after T(10). Between two groups, BIS values showed a significant differences only at T(10), BIS of group H was lower than that of group L. Ramsay score showed no significant differences except in T(L); the score of group L was significantly lower than that of group H. Other vital signs and complications showed a minimal differences between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Higher loading dose (1.0 µg/kg) of dexmedetomidine can lead to faster sedation without any severe complications.