Dexmedetomidine for dyspnoea.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist with a broad range of effects, including easily controllable sedation, analgesia and anxiolysis. Because of these favorable features, it has replaced traditional sedatives, such as benzodiazepines, and is becoming the first-line sedative for the patients in intensive care units. Terminally ill patients often need sedatives for symptom management, especially for dyspnoea. However, the use of dexmedetomidine in a palliative care setting has rarely been recognised to date. We experienced a patient nearing the end of life due to uncontrollable pulmonary haemorrhage on ventilator, whose dyspnoea was successfully managed by dexmedetomidine in addition to continuous intravenous infusion of oxycodone. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Citation

Akiko Mano, Tomohiro Murata, Kazuma Date, Mitsuhiro Kawata, Miyuki Sato, Norie Yamashita, Kimie Iino, Shunei Kyo, Eiichi Saito. Dexmedetomidine for dyspnoea. BMJ supportive & palliative care. 2020 Jun 11

PMID: 32527791

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