Clinical Research Directory

Propofol-Only Versus Dexmedetomidine-Propofol in Children Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The most common imaging procedure requiring sedation/anesthesia for the pediatric population is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the optimal anesthetic/sedation plan has not been determined for these procedures. Historically, common medications have included the use of pentobarbital and propofol, but in 2015, publication in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighted the accumulating evidence for the possible neurotoxic effects of these types of anesthetics in animal models and a collection of epidemiologic studies in humans. Although these initial possibilities have since been proven as less of a concern, in the interim, data has shown that alternative sedative agents, such as dexmedetomidine, may not have the same neurotoxic effect and could possibly even provide neuroprotection. Dexmedetomidine also possesses other beneficial traits such as reducing risks of pulmonary atelectasis or upper airway collapse, typically found with the administration of propofol. A concern raised by previous studies has been the possibility that the addition of dexmedetomidine could increase recovery times, leading to disruptions in workflow. Although it has been shown that large doses of dexmedetomidine exposure may lead to longer PACU stays, it is uncertain whether a small dose of dexmedetomidine would have such a significant impact. Based on the investigators' pilot trial6, the investigators found that a bolus of 1 mcg/kg dose of dexmedetomidine with a bolus of titrated propofol of 2-3 mg/kg and an infusion of propofol of 100 mcg/kg/min provided adequate sedation for successful scans, reduced propofol (infusion) exposure by 60%, and did not significantly increase recovery times. Finally, there is a paucity in literature for studies examining a range of doses subsequently; often, a control group is compared to a single, self-selected dose of choice. Here, the investigators hope to provide a range of doses to minimize selection bias in our study design and determine the dose that would provide the optimal sedation for these scans and minimize excess anesthetic exposure.

Efficacy and Safety of Esketamine Combined With Dexmedetomidine in Non-Invasive ICU Patients With Hyperactive Delirium (ESSENTIAL Trial): Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

This investigator-initiated, randomized, controlled, single-blind, superiority trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine for the management of agitation or delirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving non-invasive respiratory support. The primary endpoint is a clinically prioritized hierarchical composite endpoint within 28 days, including intubation or tracheostomy, delirium duration, and agitation duration.

Dexmedetomidine in Non-intubated VATS

This prospective study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative DEX for postoperative analgesia and recovery after non-intubated VATS. In addition, the investigators observe the impact of DEX on anesthetic requirements, hemodynamic parameters, and adverse events during non-intubated VATS.

Dexmedetomidine vs Lignocaine for Reducing Intubation-Induced Hemodynamic Responses in Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

After confirming eligibility, written informed consent will be obtained by a trained team member who is not involved in assigning treatment or giving the study medication. Each participant will receive a unique study number to protect privacy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the study medications using a chance-based method.The study medication will be administered through a vein before placement of the breathing tube. Blood pressure and pulse rate will be measured before the procedure and at several time points after the breathing tube is inserted.

Dexmedetomidine-esketamine and tDCS for Prevention of Neurocognitive Complications After Surgery

Neurocognitive complications, mainly delirium and neurocognitive disorders, are common cerebral complications in older patients after surgery and associated with worse outcomes. In previous studies, perioperative use of dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improved analgesia and sleep quality after surgery. Perioperative use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) also improved sleep quality and reduced delirium occurrence early after surgery. This 2×2 factorial trial is designed to investigate the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination and tDCS on early postoperative neurocognitive recovery and delirium occurrence in older patients.

Long-term Follow-up of Dexmedetomidine-esketamine and tDCS for Neurocognitive Complications After Surgery

Neurocognitive complications, mainly delirium and neurocognitive disorders, are common cerebral complications in older patients after surgery and associated with worse long-term outcomes. An ongoing 2×2 factorial trial conducted by the investigators plan to test the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on postoperative neurocognitive complications in older patients. This long-term follow-up of the ongoing trial aims to investigate the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination and tDCS on long-term outcomes in older patients after noncardiac surgery.

Nebulized Dexmedetomidine, Ketamine, or Midazolam in Children Undergoing Adenotonsillectomy

The aim of this study is to compare between nebulized dexmedetomidine, ketamine, or midazolam for premedication in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy.

Adding Dexmedetomidine or Clonidine to Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

This study will examine whether addition of dexmedetomidine or clonidine (two alpha-2 adrenergic agonists) will improve the comfort of patients during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. When added to standard spinal anesthesia consisting of bupivacaine (a local anesthetic) and fentanyl and morphine (two opioids), these medications may decrease some of the pulling/tugging/pressure sensations that patients sometimes feel during cesarean delivery, may prolong the anesthetic time, and may decrease postoperative pain.

Low-dose Dexmedetomidine and Postoperative Delirium After Cardiac Surgery

Delirium is an acutely occurred and fluctuating cerebral dysfunction characterized with inattention, altered consciousness, cognitive decline and/or abnormal perception. It is common in the elderly after cardiac surgery and is associated with worse outcomes. Causes leading to delirium are multifactorial but sleep disturbances remains an important one. In previous studies, sedative-dose dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation; and low-dose dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality in postoperative patients without mechanical ventilation. In recent studies of elderly after noncardiac surgery, night-time infusion of low-dose dexmedetomidine reduces delirium and improves 2-year survival. The investigators hypothesize that, for elderly patients after cardiac surgery, night-time infusion of dexmedetomidine may also improve sleep quality, reduce delirium development and improve 2-year survival.

Use Dexmedetomidine To Protect Myocardial Injury Evaluation

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if preoperative intranasal dexmedetomidine works to reduce perioperative myocardial injury and myocardial infarction in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It will also learn about the safety of intranasal dexmedetomidine. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does preoperative intranasal dexmedetomidine lower the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury and myocardial infarction after PCI? Does intranasal dexmedetomidine cause safety concerns in patients undergoing PCI? Researchers will compare intranasal dexmedetomidine to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see if intranasal dexmedetomidine works to protect the heart during PCI. Participants will: Receive either intranasal dexmedetomidine (100 μg) or a placebo (normal saline) 15 minutes before the PCI procedure Undergo blood tests to measure cardiac troponin levels before and after the procedure Be followed for up to 30 days after the procedure to record any heart-related events or side effects

Dexmedetomidine Nasal Spray for the Treatment of Panic Attacks in Adults

Panic attacks affect 13.2% of adults globally, with acute treatments (e.g., benzodiazepines) carrying dependency risks. Dexmedetomidine, an α₂-adrenergic agonist, achieves peak plasma levels in 5-15 min via nasal delivery and may offer rapid, non-invasive relief for acute panic attacks. Despite preclinical evidence of anxiolytic effects, no randomized trials have evaluated its efficacy for panic attacks.

Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Moderate-to-severe Pain After Spinal Surgery

Spinal surgery is generally followed by severe postoperative pain, and poor pain control may cause adverse outcomes such as cardiovascular events, neurocognitive disorders, and chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP). In previous studies, perioperative use of dexmedetomidine or esketamine is each associated with improved analgesia after surgery. Recent studies suggest that combined use of dexmedetomidine and esketamine may produce synergetic effects in improving analgesia. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that perioperative combined use of dexmedetomidine and esketamine may improve analgesia and reduce moderate-to-severe pain in patients after spinal surgery.

Different Dose Esketamine and Dexmedetomidine Combination for Supplemental Analgesia After Scoliosis Correction Surgery

Scoliosis correction surgery is associated with severe pain. Patients after scoliosis correction surgery usually require high dose opioids and long duration analgesia, which may increase side effects and drug tolerance. In a recent trial, mini-dose esketamine and dexmedetomidine combination as a supplement to sufentanil significantly improved analgesia and subjective sleep quality after spinal correction surgery without increasing adverse events; however, the proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe pain remained high. The authors speculate that increasing esketamine dose in the combination may further improve analgesic effects.

Impact of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine and Esketamine on Postoperative Quality of Recovery

For patients after surgery, quality of recovery has significant impacts on the prognosis, quality of life, and rational allocation of medical resources. Dexmedetomidine and esketamine have each been used during the perioperative period and improved postoperative analgesia and subjective sleep quality. This 2x2 factorial trial is designed to explore the effects of dexmedetomidine, esketamine, and their combination on the quality of recovery in patients recovering from surgery under general anesthesia.

Dexmedetomidine-esketamine-ropivacaine Versus Sufentanil-ropivacaine for Epidural Labor Analgesia

Sufentanil-ropivacaine combination is commonly used for epidural labor anesthesia, but is associated with some adverse events. Dexmedetomidine and esketamine, each has been effectively used for neuraxial anesthesia in combination with local anesthetics. Plenty of evidences show that both dexmedetomidine and esketamine, combined with ropivacaine, are also effective as the sufentanil-ropivacaine combination when used for epidural labor analgesia. This pilot trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the dexmedetomidine-esketamine-ropivacaine versus sufentanil-ropivacaine combination for epidural labor analgesia, and to test the feasibility of a future large randomized trial.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Administration and Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients

Postoperative pain after adenoid and tonsil surgery is significant, with approximately 75% of pediatric patients experiencing severe postoperative pain. Currently, there is a lack of clinical strategies to safely and effectively manage postoperative pain in children undergoing adenoid and tonsil surgery. Dexmedetomidine and esketamine can achieve appropriate sedation levels and alleviate postoperative pain when used in children. Both drugs can be administered intranasally, and their pharmacological effects complement each other, reducing side effects. This study aims to investigate whether intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination can improve postoperative analgesia in children undergoing adenoid and tonsil surgery.

Comparison of Post Operative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Lower Abdominal Surgeries Receiving Ultrasound Guided Block With Dexmetomidine vs Dexmethasone

Lower abdominal surgeries cause significant pain and can be managed by injecting local anesthetic agents between muscles of abdominal wall that can provide post operative pain relief and its duration can be prolonged by adding drugs to local anesthetic regimen

Role of Opioid Free Anaesthesia in Elderly Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgeries With Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Enhanced Recovery After Surgeries

The introduction of synthetic opioids in 1960 to general anesthesia together with sedative hypnotics and muscle relaxants allowed the appearance of the concept of multimodal balanced anesthesia. Although they help in achieving hemodynamic stability during anesthesia of open heart surgeries, their administration consequences are neither scarce nor benign to the patient. Perioperative opioids are associated with increased incidence of respiratory depression, prolonged mechanical ventilation, nausea and vomiting, prolonged sedation, Postoperative ileus (POI), urine retention, Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), immune depression and hyperalgesia (Beloeil et al., 2018). Coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is particularly vulnerable to the above-mentioned complications. Indeed, some of the side effects of this surgery overlap with the adverse effects of opioids. Postoperative pulmonary complications are observed in up to 50% of patients (Fisscher et al., 2022) and POCD or delirium in 4-54% according to studies (Bhushan et al., 2021). Whereas major gastrointestinal complications are estimated to occur in around 3% of patients, essentially acute pancreatitis, postoperative ileus (Marsoner et al., 2019). Opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) strategies have emerged to avoid intraoperative opioid use. It is based on the fact that a sympathetic reaction evidenced by hemodynamic changes in an anesthetised patient does not systematically reflect pain. In addition, a sleeping patient will not recall pain, while hormonal stress and sympathetic and inflammatory reactions can be controlled by therapeutic classes

Virtual Reality Versus Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Maternal Anxiety, Stress, Hemodynamics, and Neonatal Outcomes During Cesarean Section

This study aims to compare the efficacy of intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion versus virtual reality (VR) in reducing maternal anxiety, stress, and hemodynamic instability during cesarean section and their effects on neonatal outcome as respiration and heart rate.

Dexamethasone, Dexmedetomidine and Their Combination on Post op. GIT Function Measured by I-FFED Score Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn the effect of Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine and Their Combination on Post op. GIT Function Measured by I-FFED Score Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy What medical problems do participants have when taking Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine? Researchers will compare Dexamethasone and Dexmedetomidine and Their Combination to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see the effect on Post op. GIT Function Measured by I-FFED Score Post Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Participants will receive Dexamethasone 8 mg IV + Saline IV (total volume 10 ml) over 10 minutes administered after induction of anesthesia. Participants will receive Dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg /kg IV + Saline IV (total volume 10 ml) over 10 minutes administered after induction of anesthesia. Participants will receive Dexamethasone 8 mg IV + Dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/kg IV+ Saline IV (total volume 10 ml) over 10 minutes administered after induction of anesthesia. Participants will receive Saline IV (total volume 10 ml) over 10 minutes administered after induction of anesthesia

Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion Versus Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Infusion During Sleeve Gastrectomy

Although laparoscopic (LAP) bariatric surgery is minimally invasive. Following any laparoscopic procedure, patients typically experience the peak of postoperative pain within the first 24 hours. This intense pain gradually subsides, with significant relief usually occurring by the 2nd or 3rd postoperative day. The initial peak and subsequent decline in pain intensity highlight the importance of effective early pain management strategies to ensure patient comfort and recovery during this critical period. Inadequate management of postoperative pain can result in serious complications. Lidocaine is increasingly recognised as a vital adjunct in managing perioperative pain. Its efficacy extends beyond traditional local anaesthetic applications, as it also demonstrates analgesic, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist with hypnotic, sedative, anxiolytic, sympatholytic, and analgesic effects, while causing minimal respiratory depression

Safety Exploration and Evaluation of Dexmedetomidine Hydrochloride Nasal Spray for Pre-anesthesia Sedation in Low-Monitoring Settings

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the viability of dexmedetomidine hydrochloride nasal spray under minimal or no supervision and to further investigate novel clinical applications for this medication. This study aims to investigate the following aspects: the incidence of adverse respiratory and circulatory events requiring medical intervention following the administration of dexmedetomidine nasal spray for pre-anesthetic sedation, its sedative efficacy and onset time, and its impact on the quality of post-anesthesia recovery and the occurrence of postoperative delirium. Researchers will compare dexmedetomidine hydrochloride nasal spray to a placebo (a look-alike substance that contains no drug) to see the incidence and severity of adverse events following administration. Participants will receive either dexmedetomidine nasal spray or a placebo 45 minutes before anesthesia induction. The blinded assessor will continuously monitor and record vital signs, adverse events, and the level of sedation. More importantly, observations and records should be made for respiratory and circulatory events that require medical intervention. A follow-up assessment will be conducted within three days after the operation to evaluate the incidence of postoperative delirium and patient satisfaction.

Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine-Fentanyl Combination Versus Fentanyl Alone as Adjuvant to Bupivacaine in Spinal Anesthesia for Above Knee Amputation in Sarcomas of Lower Extremity

The current work evaluated whether the combination of intrathecal dexmedetomidine and fentanyl provides superior postoperative analgesia to fentanyl alone when administered with hyperbaric bupivacaine.

Determination of ED50 and ED95 With Clinical Efficacy of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Combined With Esketamine for Preoperative Sedation in Pediatric General Anesthesia

For pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia, poor anesthesia induction compliance often has adverse effects on individual behavior in the early postoperative period. Dexmedetomidine can reduce the cardiovascular responses and postoperative mental adverse reactions caused by esketamine anesthesia induction \[6\]. This study aims to explore the ED50 and ED95 and clinical effects of the combination of dexmedetomidine and esketamine nasal drops for preoperative sedation in children of different ages undergoing general anesthesia, providing a theoretical basis for the combined use of dexmedetomidine and esketamine for preoperative sedation in children undergoing general anesthesia.