The effect of dexmedetomidine on the hemodynamic responses of endotracheal extubation and sedation level in recovery after cholecystectomy

Background: Emergence from general anesthesia and removing of tracheal tube can be associated with coughing, agitation, and hemodynamic disturbances. Dexmedetomidine is an alpha two adrenoceptor agonist that has effective sedation with less cardiovascular unstability and respiratory depression and may be useful for extubation and prevention of hemodynamic response during tracheal tube removing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on hemodynamic responses during endotracheal extubation and sedation level in recovery room. Methods: In an analytical study, fifty women aged 20-50 years old candidate to cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and tracheal intubation were entered randomly to this study in two groups (no. 25) at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, Iran, and under support of Urmia University of Medical Sciences Urmia, Iran, from May 2017 to May 2018. Ten minutes before end of surgery, 0.8 µg/kg dexmedetomidine in the study group and for the other patients in control group normal saline as placebo were infused over ten minutes. During the emergence phase, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded at 0,1,2,3 and 5 minutes after extubation. Also, sedation index was evaluated via the Ramsay sedation score and recorded at recovery room. Results: Heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patient with infusion of dexmedetomidine were lower significantly at 1,2,3 and 5 minutes after extubation than control group. Data for heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, at min 1 after extubation were 81±6 vs. 88±9, 120.64±13.21 vs. 137.52±11.06, 72.84±8.32 vs. 81.36±9.26 in dexmedetomidine and control groups respectively. Data for heart rate, systolic and diastolic pressure, at min 5 after extubation were 73±6 vs. 80±8, 110.64±10.68 vs. 119.88±10.01, 69.84±8.32 vs. 73.48±5.13 in study and control groups, respectively. As well as 80% of the patients in dexmedetomidine group had satisfactory sedation and cooperation in compare to the 28% in control group (P=0.001). Conclusion: Intravenous infusion of 0.8 µg/kg dexmedetomidine 10 minutes before extubation of endotracheal tube and during emergence, facilitate extubation and lead to hemodynamic stability and satisfactory sedation.