Dexmedetomidine in pregnancy: Review of literature and possible use

• Main Authors: Abhijit S Nair, K Sriprakash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Obstetric Anaesthesia and Critical Care
• Subjects: Cesarean section; dexmedetomidine; labor analgesia; parturient; uteroplacental transfer
• Online Access: http://www.joacc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4472;year=2013;volume=3;issue=1;spage=3;epage=6;aulast=Nair
• ISSN: 2249-4472

Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α-2 agonist, which when used in recommended dose in the form of an infusion, has several desirable properties like sedation, anxiolysis, sympatholysis, analgesia, decreased anesthetic requirements, maintains cardiovascular stability and provides a smooth recovery. Anesthesiologists have used this drug with great reluctance in parturients due to possible uteroplacental transfer, thereby, causing undesirable effects in the baby. However, literature shows that as dexmedetomidine has a high placental extraction, it doesn′t ge transferred to the baby. We tried to review the available literature so as to find in what circumstances it has been used in parturients and in future what are the possible indications of its use in labor analgesia, cesarean section, and non-obstetric surgeries.