Anesth Analg 2008; 106:1784-1786
© 2008 International Anesthesia Research Society
doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e318172fafc
ANESTHETIC PHARMACOLOGY
Dexmedetomidine Sedation Leading to Refractory Cardiogenic Shock
Tina C. Sichrovsky, MD,
Suneet Mittal, MD, and
Jonathan S. Steinberg, MD
From the St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center/Columbia University, New York City, New York.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Tina C. Sichrovsky, MD, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center/Columbia University, 1111, Amsterdam Ave., New York City, NY 10025. Address e-mail to Tina.sichrovsky{at}gmx.net.
Dexmedetomidine is frequently used for deep sedation during electrophysiology procedures. We report a case where, presumably, the use of dexmedetomidine resulted in a patient's death. The patient developed unexplained and refractory cardiogenic shock and could not be resuscitated. Autopsy failed to demonstrate any abnormality or cause of death. We postulate that, in certain susceptible individuals, dexmedetomidine may lead to terminal complications. We therefore urge caution about using dexmedetomidine in the electrophysiology laboratory.
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