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. 2018 Jul-Aug;33(4):404–417. doi: 10.21470/1678-9741-2017-0253

Table 4.

The most relevant preliminary findings of our review.

• DEX is associated with lower postoperative pain scores or incidence after cardiothoracic surgeries in comparison with placebo (normal saline)
• DEX is probability able to reduce the analgesia requirement during and after cardiothoracic surgeries
• DEX is unable to reduce the postoperative pain score or incidence after 36 hours from the start of surgery
• DEX is probability able to improve the postoperative pain control in comparison with morphine
• DEX has noticeable morphine-sparing effects
• DEX could decrease intravenous morphine consumption during ICU stay
• DEX could improve the analgesic effect of sufentanil and decrease the total dosage of sufentanil during the first 24 hours after surgery
• The addition of DEX to epidural bupivacaine could decrease the anesthetic requirements and improve postoperative analgesia
• DEX could decrease the total consumption of narcotics
• DEX could decrease the extubation time
• The most reported complications of DEX were bradycardia, hypotension, and over sedation
• DEX administration is associated with lower risk of respiratory depression
• DEX demonstrated hemodynamic predictability.

Note: Due to the limited number of available trials regarding the effectiveness of DEX, these findings are preliminary; hence, confirmation or rejection of any of these findings warrants further research.