The effect of dexmedetomidine on decrease of cough, hemodynamic parameters and Ramsay score versus lidocaine during general anesthesia: a randomized clinical trial

Physiological responses remain common during anesthesia emergence and endotracheal extubation, causing some complications. We aimed to address the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on decrease of cough, hemodynamic parameters and Ramsay score in comparing to lidocaine (LID) during anesthesia. In this double-blinded randomized clinical trial 120 hospitalized patients undergoing general anesthesia were enrolled after obtaining written consent. Block random allocation was used to assign patients into three groups including DEX (intravenous injection; 0.5 μg/kg), LID (1.5 mg/kg), and PBO (10 mL normal saline) at 10 minutes before anesthesia. No statistical significance was uncovered among three groups in blood pressure, oxygen saturation, frequency of laryngospasm and duration of surgery amongst the groups (P > 0.05), but DEX having lower heart rate and cough frequency (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean of Ramsay score was statistically higher in DEX and LID groups than PBO except at the 50(th) and 60(th) minutes after extubation (P < 0.05). Since the mean of Ramsay score was higher in DEX vs. LID groups and reduced heart rate and cough frequency demonstrates in DEX, it seems that DEX could be an appropriate drug on suppressing cough during anesthesia without side effects. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences by code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.140 on August 19, 2018, and the protocol was registered at Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials by code IRCT20141209020258N97 on February 22, 2019.