Dexmedetomidine infusion overdose during anesthesia: A case report

Paediatr Anaesth. 2020 Feb;30(2):191-193. doi: 10.1111/pan.13801. Epub 2020 Jan 27.

Abstract

A 12-kg infant was given intravenous dexmedetomidine 0.2 µg kg-1 min-1 as an adjunct for general anesthesia. The 60-fold increase in dexmedetomidine infusion rate caused a biphasic response with initial hypertension followed by bradycardia and hypotension requiring inotropic support. No postoperative or long-term sequelae were noted. Dexmedetomidine infusion is usually delivered as µg kg-1 h-1 .

Keywords: adverse effect; medication error; pharmacodynamics; pharmacokinetics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Crystalloid Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Dexmedetomidine / administration & dosage*
  • Dexmedetomidine / adverse effects
  • Drug Overdose / drug therapy
  • Drug Overdose / etiology*
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Equipment Failure*
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / administration & dosage*
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects
  • Infant
  • Infusion Pumps / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Crystalloid Solutions
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Dexmedetomidine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine