Table 1:

Clinical uses of dexmedetomidine.

Preoperative anxiolysis

Heart rate control during intubation

General anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway

When neuromuscular agents are not permitted

Anesthesia for patients at risk for myocardial infarction or stroke

Anesthesia for patients with sleep apnea and the obese

Anesthesia for patients with asthma and COPD

Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)

Anesthesia for ear, nose and throat and vocal cord procedures

Awake intubation and awake tracheostomy

Anesthesia for neurosurgery including awake craniotomy

Anesthesia for patients at risk of postoperative delirium

Anesthesia for pediatric surgery including cardiac surgery

In patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)

Monitored anesthesia Care (MAC)

Anesthesia for patients at risk of perioperative dysrhythmias

Anesthesia for vascular surgery

Anesthesia for patients with renal impairment and kidney transplants

When patients need to remain intubated postoperatively Patient controlled anesthesia

Postoperative shivering

Blood sugar control especially in diabetics

Adjunct to local anesthetics

Note: COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases.