A comparison of dexmedetomidine versus conventional therapy for sedation and hemodynamic control during carotid endarterectomy performed under regional anesthesia

Abstract

The properties of dexmedetomidine (DEX) that result in titratable sedation and sympathetic modulation suggest that it would be suitable for use during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed under regional anesthesia. We performed a randomized, double-blind study in 56 patients having CEA under regional anesthesia and compared hemodynamic control using DEX versus a conventional sedation technique using midazolam and fentanyl standard (STD). Sedation was titrated to a Ramsay Sedation Score of 2-4 in both groups. The primary outcome was the number of pharmacological interventions required to treat deviations of arterial blood pressure and heart rate outside of predetermined limits. We also comp..