TY - JOUR
T1 - Dexmedetomidine sedation leading to refractory cardiogenic shock
AU - Sichrovsky, Tina C.
AU - Mittal, Suneet
AU - Steinberg, Jonathan S.
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - Dexmedetomidine is frequently used for deep sedation during electrophysiology procedures. We report a case where, presumably, the use of dexmedetomidine resulted in a patient's death. The patient developed unexplained and refractory cardiogenic shock and could not be resuscitated. Autopsy failed to demonstrate any abnormality or cause of death. We postulate that, in certain susceptible individuals, dexmedetomidine may lead to terminal complications. We therefore urge caution about using dexmedetomidine in the electrophysiology laboratory.
AB - Dexmedetomidine is frequently used for deep sedation during electrophysiology procedures. We report a case where, presumably, the use of dexmedetomidine resulted in a patient's death. The patient developed unexplained and refractory cardiogenic shock and could not be resuscitated. Autopsy failed to demonstrate any abnormality or cause of death. We postulate that, in certain susceptible individuals, dexmedetomidine may lead to terminal complications. We therefore urge caution about using dexmedetomidine in the electrophysiology laboratory.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44649168847&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1213/ane.0b013e318172fafc
DO - 10.1213/ane.0b013e318172fafc
M3 - Article
C2 - 18499610
AN - SCOPUS:44649168847
SN - 0003-2999
VL - 106
SP - 1784
EP - 1786
JO - Anesthesia and Analgesia
JF - Anesthesia and Analgesia
IS - 6
ER -