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The efficacy of clonidine for reducing perioperative haemodynamic changes and volatile anaesthetic requirements in

K Nishina1, K Mikawa, N Maekawa

  • 1Department of Anaesthesiology, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan.

Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|July 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Oral clonidine at 4 micrograms kg-1 effectively reduced anesthetic needs and improved hemodynamic stability in children aged 5-11 years. This study confirms clonidine

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pediatric Anesthesia
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Oral clonidine as a premedicant in adults reduces anesthetic requirements and enhances perioperative hemodynamic stability.
  • The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral clonidine in pediatric patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if oral clonidine (4 micrograms kg-1) can reduce intraoperative anesthetic requirements in children.
  • To assess the impact of oral clonidine on perioperative hemodynamic stability in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial involving 60 children (ASA I, aged 5-11 years).
  • Participants received either placebo, 2 micrograms kg-1 clonidine, or 4 micrograms kg-1 clonidine orally before anesthesia induction.
  • Anesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane, nitrous oxide, and oxygen, with halothane concentration titrated for hemodynamic stability.

Main Results:

  • The 4 micrograms kg-1 clonidine group required significantly lower inspired halothane concentrations (0.6 +/- 0.1%) compared to placebo (1.1 +/- 0.2%) and 2 micrograms kg-1 clonidine (1.0 +/- 0.2%) groups for hemodynamic stability (P < 0.05).
  • A 4 micrograms kg-1 dose of clonidine significantly reduced intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate variability compared to other groups.

Conclusions:

  • Oral clonidine premedication at 4 micrograms kg-1 is effective in providing intraoperative hemodynamic stability and reducing anesthetic requirements in children aged 5-11 years.
  • The findings cannot be extrapolated to younger children or infants.
Abstract

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