Clinical Research Directory

Dexmedetomidine Combined With Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) Can Reduce the Incidence of PTSD in Trauma Patients After Surgery

Emergency trauma surgery patients, due to the dual stress effects of sudden trauma events (such as car accidents, falls, engineering accidents) and surgical trauma, have a significantly higher incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to the general population. This disease, characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in cognitive emotions, and increased arousal, not only severely hinders patients' postoperative psychological recovery and reduces their quality of life, but may also prolong hospital stays, increase the risk of readmission, and impose a heavy medical and economic burden on families and society. Dexmedetomidine, as a highly selective α₂-adrenergic receptor agonist, possesses sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, and sympatholytic effects. By regulating the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system, it can alleviate perioperative stress responses, reduce postoperative anxiety and delirium incidence. In recent years, multiple studies both domestically and internationally have confirmed its potential to prevent PTSD by inhibiting the encoding and consolidation processes of trauma-related memories. In randomized clinical trials, administering dexmedetomidine during and after surgery has been shown to reduce the incidence of PTSD in trauma patients. However, when used alone, some patients still develop PTSD, indicating room for improvement in preventive efficacy. Additionally, there are risks of adverse reactions such as hypotension and bradycardia, which limit its application in certain populations. As a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation technique, transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) exerts its effect by stimulating the vagus nerve branches in the cavum concha. It has the advantages of simple operation, high safety, and can be implemented during the perioperative period. It has been proven to regulate the stress response and emotional processing of the central nervous system, reduce stress response scores, and has the potential for perioperative analgesia. However, there is limited research on its early prevention after emergency trauma surgery, and no exploration of synergistic effects with dexmedetomidine. Currently, there is no clinical research on the use of dexmedetomidine combined with taVNS for the prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in patients undergoing emergency trauma surgery at home and abroad. Existing research mostly focuses on single drugs or single neuroregulation techniques, and there are limitations such as small sample size, short follow-up time, and uncontrolled confounding factors such as perioperative pain and delirium, making it difficult to meet the clinical demand for efficient and safe PTSD prevention schemes.

Mini-dose Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Supplemented Analgesia in Patients at High-risk of OSA

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at increased risk of developing sleep disturbances after surgery. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist with sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of racemic ketamine and twice as potent as racemic ketamine for analgesia. A recent trial showed that mini-dose esketamine-dexmedetomidine in combination with opioids improved analgesia and subjective sleep quality after scoliosis correction surgery. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that mini-dose dexmedetomidine-esketamine supplemented analgesia may improve postoperative sleep quality in patients at high-risk of OSA.

Safety and Efficacy of Esketamine - Dexmedetomidine Combination Versus Dexmedetomidine Monotherapy for Hyperactive Delirium in ICU Patients on Non-Invasive Respiratory Support (SEED-NIRS Trial): Study 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.

The Impact of Dexmedetomidine Nasal Spray on Perioperative Anxiety in Neurosurgical Patients

This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative use of dexmedetomidine nasal spray on improving perioperative anxiety levels in patients undergoing elective supratentorial tumor resection.

Intraoperative Infusion of Dexmedetomidine for Prevention of Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common surgical complication. The incidence is 10% to 22% in neurological procedures, and advanced age is a risk factor for neurological procedures. Many studies have shown that dexmedetomidine(DEX) may reduce the incidence of delirium in non-cardiac surgery patients and elderly patients. However, there are few studies focus on the effect of DEX on POD in elderly patients undergoing neurosurgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DEX on POD in in elderly patients undergoing craniotomy.

Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Combination on Depression and Anxiety After Laparoscopic Ureteral Reconstruction

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are prevalent in patients undergoing surgical repair for ureteral stricture, driven by chronic pain, renal function concerns, and surgical uncertainty. Dexmedetomidine has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects but may increase bradycardia and hypotension; esketamine provides rapid antidepressant efficacy but may cause psychiatric side effects. Preliminary studies showed that combined use of low-dose dexmedetomidine and esketamine reduced the prevalence of postoperative depressive symptoms without increasing adverse events. This study is designed to test the hypothesis that perioperative use of low-dose dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination may relieve postoperative depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients undergoing laparoscopic ureteral reconstruction.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine and Perioperative Myocardial Injury

PCI is the standard treatment for CAD, yet perioperative myocardial injury occurs frequently in nearly 40% of patients. Perioperative stress and sympathetic overactivation break myocardial oxygen balance and lead to cardiac damage, which further raises short-term cardiovascular events and long-term mortality risks. Dexmedetomidine exerts cardioprotective effects by inhibiting sympathetic excitation, though intravenous use carries risks of hypotension and bradycardia. Intranasal dexmedetomidine shows equivalent efficacy with fewer side effects and better patient compliance. Since no standard perioperative anesthesia regimen exists for elective PCI patients and the clinical benefits of dexmedetomidine remain unconfirmed, this pilot study is designed to test the feasibility and safety of intranasal dexmedetomidine spray before launching large formal RCTs.

Lidocaine and Dexmedetomidine Infusions for Intraoperative Bleeding in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

This work aims to compare lidocaine and dexmedetomidine infusions for intraoperative bleeding in patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Lidocaine and Dexmedetomidine Infusion and Their Combination on Perioperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

This study aims to compare lidocaine and dexmedetomidine infusion and their combination on perioperative pain in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

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

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

Intraperitoneal Dexmedetomidine Versus Magnesium as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Although both dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate have been individually evaluated as adjuvants to local anesthetics, direct comparisons between the two agents in intraperitoneal instillation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remain limited. Understanding their relative efficacy and safety could provide valuable guidance for optimizing perioperative analgesia in these patients.

Dexmedetomidine Infusion Dose Versus Rapid Bolus Dose Before Tracheal Intubation.

Dexmedetomidine bolus dose may provide similar or less hemodynamic changes (less bradycardia and less hypertension) than infusion dose during induction of anaesthesia and tracheal intubation.

Mini-dose Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Infusion and Perioperative Sleep Quality

Sleep disturbances are prevalent in older patients with osteoarthrosis or fracture who are scheduled for knee or hip replacement surgery. The occurrence of sleep disturbances is associated with worse outcomes including increased risk of delirium and cardiac events, and worsened functional recovery. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist with sedative, anxiolytic, and analgesic properties. It exerts sedative effects via activating the endogenous sleep pathways and produces a state like non-rapid eye movement sleep, which is different from opioid- and benzodiazepine-induced sedation. Esketamine is a N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist and has been used as an anesthetic and analgesic. Recent studies showed that low-dose esketamine has anti-depressive and sleep-promoting effects. The investigators suppose that mini-dose dexmedetomidine-esketamine combined infusion at night can improve perioperative sleep quality in patients scheduled for knee or hip replacement surgery.

Sedation With Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination and Delirium in ICU Patients

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) often develop anxiety and agitation, sleep disturbances, and delirium. Delirium occurrence is associated with worse early and long-term outcomes. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are recommended for sedation and analgesia in postoperative ICU patients, but each may induce side effects. The sedative effects of dexmedetomidine can help mitigate the neuropsychiatric side effects of esketamine. Recent studies showed that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improved analgesia and sleep quality without increasing side effects. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for sedation and analgesia in postoperative ICU patients may reduce delirium.

Dexmedetomidine Versus Dexamethasone as an Additive to Local Anesthetic Mixture in Peribulbar Block in Cataract Surgeries

This study aimed to compare the effects of dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine when added to a local anesthetic mixture for peribulbar block in patients undergoing elective anterior segment eye surgery.

Intranasal Esketamine-dexmedetomidine Combination and Postpartum Depression

Esketamine has rapid-onset antidepressant effects and may reduce postpartum depression in parturients with prenatal depressive symptoms. However, its adverse neuropsychiatric symptoms limits clinical application. Dexmedetomidine can alleviate these adverse symptoms and has independent antidepressant effect. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to evaluate whether intranasal esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine can reduce the prevalence of postpartum depression in women with prenatal depressive symptoms.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine-esketamine on Sleep and Cognition in Older Adults With Mild-to-moderate Cognitive Impairment

Patients with cognitive decline are frequently comorbid with sleep disorders which may in turn aggravate cognitive decline. Sedative dose dexmedetomidine improved sleep quality but incresed bradycardia and hypotension; low dose dexmedetomidine produce less side effects, but the sleep promoting effects are relatively weak. Low dose esketamine also has sleep-promoting effects but may produce neuropsychiatric side effects. Both dexmedetomidine and esketamine are approved for intranasal administration. We suppose that intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination may improve sleep quality and therefore cognitive function in older ptients with Alzheimer's disease cognitive impairment and sleep disorders.

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.

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.