Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Improving Intubating Conditions Without the Use of Muscle Relaxant
Status:
COMPLETED
Trial end date:
2024-05-02
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Tracheal intubation is usually facilitated by the administration of anesthetic drugs including a muscle relaxant. Over the past few years, several factors have led researchers to consider omitting neuromuscular blocking agents for tracheal intubation. (1, 2) Despite the frequent use of NMBAs in clinical practice, side effects associated with NMBA use can be particularly concerning such as anaphylaxis, cardiovascular effects related to histamine release or sympathomimetic properties, Bronchospasm, and prolonged paralysis. (3) Therefore, many studies (4, 5) focused on the possibility of performing tracheal intubation without the use of neuromuscular blocking agents. The challenge was to find the correct choice and dose of induction agent, opioid, or adjuvant drug to produce adequate intubating conditions without cardiovascular side effects. Dexmedetomidine is a potent and highly selective alpha-2 receptor agonist with sympatholytic, sedative, amnestic, and analgesic properties. It inhibits sympathetic activity thus terminating the pain signals and thereby blunts the pressor response associated with laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.