Dexmedetomidine in pulmonary hypertension: a Review

ABSTRACT

Patients with pulmonary hypertension often have adverse outcomes after anesthesia. Tachycardia, hypertension, hypervolemia, increased intrathoracic pressure, acidosis, painful stimuli and hyperthermia are triggering factors for adverse perioperative events. Dexmedetomidine is a centrally acting alpha agonist which, due to its desirable properties like sympatholysis, bradycardia and micro agonism, can be a useful agent for patients with pulmonary hypertension. Dexmedetomidine also has the ability to potentiate inhalational, intravenous and regional anesthetics when it is used as an adjunct