Dexmedetomidine and Anesthesia.

The α2-adrenoceptors (ARs) by virtue of their sedative, analgesic, sympatholytic, anesthetic-sparing and hemodynamicstabilizing properties, have been used as an adjunct to local anesthetics for prolongation of effect. Dexmedetomidine a stereoisomer of medetomidine a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist with a relatively high ratio of α2/ α1-activity (1620:1 as compared to 220:1 for clonidine). It has recently been introduced in anesthesia practice. It is currently being used for continuous intravenous sedation in the intensive care setting and procedural sedation in nonintubated patients.