Postoperative intensive care unit drug fever caused by dexmedetomidine

Anesth Analg. 2009 May;108(5):1589-91. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e31819f1985.

Abstract

Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride is a potent, highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, broadly used as a sedative drug in intensive care units. We describe the case of a 59-yr-old patient who experienced drug fever caused by dexmedetomidine hydrochloride. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit with an abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture. After initiation of sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, he developed pyrexia of more than 39 degrees C. This symptom improved rapidly 7 h after stopping dexmedetomidine hydrochloride. Other possible causes (such as infection) were sequentially eliminated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / adverse effects*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / surgery
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery
  • Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation
  • Body Temperature / drug effects*
  • Dexmedetomidine / adverse effects*
  • Fever / chemically induced*
  • Fever / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects*
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Dexmedetomidine