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Oral clonidine does not change ventilatory response to carbon dioxide in sevoflurane-anesthetized children

Kahoru Nishina1, Katsuya Mikawa, Takanobu Uesugi

  • 1Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan.

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|December 17, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Oral clonidine did not affect ventilation in children during sevoflurane anesthesia. This study found clonidine suitable for pediatric anesthesia with spontaneous breathing, showing no adverse effects on respiratory parameters.

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Respiratory Physiology

Background:

  • Clonidine is a premedicant in pediatric anesthesia.
  • Clonidine may cause ventilatory depression.
  • The study investigated clonidine's effect on the ventilatory response to hypercapnia during sevoflurane anesthesia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the effects of oral clonidine premedication on the ventilatory response to hypercapnia.
  • To assess the safety of clonidine as a premedicant in pediatric sevoflurane anesthesia.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty children (3-13 years) received either clonidine (4 microg/kg) or placebo.
  • Anesthesia was maintained with 2% sevoflurane and spontaneous breathing.
  • Ventilatory parameters (VE, RR, P(E)CO(2), SpO2) were measured before and during 7% CO(2) inhalation.

Main Results:

  • Oral clonidine did not alter minute ventilation (VE) before or during CO(2) challenge.
  • Hypercapnia increased VE in both groups.
  • No significant differences were observed in respiratory rate, end-tidal CO(2), or oxygen saturation between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Oral clonidine is a suitable premedication for pediatric sevoflurane anesthesia.
  • Clonidine does not attenuate the ventilatory response to hypercapnia under these conditions.
  • The drug appears safe for use in children undergoing anesthesia with spontaneous breathing.
Abstract

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