Dexmedetomidine infusion and somatosensory evoked potentials

J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2001 Oct;13(4):320-2. doi: 10.1097/00008506-200110000-00007.

Abstract

Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring requires information on the effects of anesthetic drugs because these drugs can directly alter evoked potentials, thus interfering with monitoring. We report on our evaluation of the effect of the recently introduced alpha2-adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, on the somatosensory evoked potentials in two patients undergoing cervico-occipital fusion. Our results suggest that, although dexmedetomidine can affect the later cortical peaks of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), consistent and reproducible potentials can be recorded.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Aged
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Dexmedetomidine / administration & dosage
  • Dexmedetomidine / pharmacology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laminectomy
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative
  • Neurosurgical Procedures*
  • Nitrous Oxide / pharmacology
  • Propofol

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Propofol