Role of Dexmedetomidine on Outcomes after Elective Cardiac Surgery

Merve Yazici Kara, Steve Leung, Huseyin Oguz Yilmaz and Alparslan Tura

Department of Outcomes Research, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, USA
Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Etimesgut Military Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Department of Outcomes Research, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic, USA

^*Correspondance to: Alparslan Turan 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1489

Abstract

Open heart surgery is commonly performed for coronary artery disease and valvular diseases worldwide. Certain postoperative complications, such as atrial arrhythmias, delirium, renal injury and persistent incisional pain remain common and hinder recovery and have enormous cost implications. The etiologies of these complications are linked with the inflammatory response associated with surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass. There is increasing evidence that, dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used for conscious sedation, may reduce the risk of these events due to its favorable pharmacologic effects on the heart and anti-inflammatory properties. This paper addresses the pertinent pharmacologic effects of dexmedetomidine on cardiac physiology and the current evidence for use of perioperative dexmedetomidine to prevent postoperative complications after cardiac surgery.

Keywords

Dexmedetomidine; Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; Cardiac surgery; Atrial arrhythmias; Delirium; Renal function; Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP)

Cite the article

Kara MY, Leung S, Yilmaz HO, Tura A. Role of Dexmedetomidine on Outcomes after Elective Cardiac Surgery. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1489.