Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Acquisition of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data in the Rat
Published on: August 28, 2021
Pediatric CT sedation: comparison of dexmedetomidine and pentobarbital
Keira P Mason1, Randy Prescilla, Paulette J Fontaine
1Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital Boston, 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA. keira.mason@childrens.harvard.edu
Objective:
Our institution replaced pentobarbital with dexmedetomidine for pediatric CT sedation. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, incidence of adverse events, and cardiovascular and respiratory profiles of these two sedatives.
Materials And Methods:
Quality assurance data were accessed for a review of demographics, outcome parameters, and adverse events among all children who received either pentobarbital or dexmedetomidine.
Results:
From January 2004 through June 2009 there were 388 pentobarbital sedations and 1,274 dexmedetomidine sedations. Age, sex, weight, and duration of imaging study were similar in the two groups. Average time to achieve sedation was 12 ± 4 minutes with dexmedetomidine and 6 ± 3 minutes with pentobarbital (p < 0.001). Recovery time was 32 ± 18 minutes with dexmedetomidine and 95 ± 28 minutes with pentobarbital (p < 0.001). There were no differences between groups in incidence of oxygen desaturation and need for brief positive pressure ventilation. The odds of needing additional sedative agents to complete the study were significantly higher with pentobarbital than with dexmedetomidine (odds ratio, 4.0; 95% CI, 2.0-8.4; p < 0.001). There was a significantly lower incidence of agitation and rage with dexmedetomidine (p < 0.01) but higher risk of hypotension (p < 0.01). There was one failed sedation in each group (p = 0.99).
Conclusion:
Dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective alternative to pentobarbital for pediatric CT, being associated with a much shorter recovery time and less need for adjuvant sedatives.
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...