Year: 2007
Type: letter
Abstract: We read with interest the report by Hatzakorzian et al. describing the successful treatment of emergence agitation with droperidol [1]. In our institution a smaller dose of droperidol is used for prophylaxis and treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting. We have found that clonidine given intravenously for its analgesic and sedative effects works well in reducing the incidence of postoperative emergence agitation. We recently reported the efficacy of prophylactic clonidine in reducing the incidence of emergence agitation in children [2]. A single dose of clonidine (1–2 μg.kg−1) given intra-operatively may be useful in preventing this complication in the high risk patients. Previous studies, however, have shown that clonidine causes sleepiness without respiratory depression postoperatively [2]. Dexmetomidine with a greater degree of specificity for alpha 2 receptors, is shorter acting, and is associated with fewer sedative effects compared with clonidine. Currently there are not enough data comparing clonidine and dexmetomidine for the prevention of emergence agitation. In countries such as the UK where droperidol is not available, clonidine would be a useful alternative.
Source: Anaesthesia
Authors: S. Sathishkumar, S. Malviya, P. Dorje
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1911946564