Dexmedetomidine sedation for pediatric post-Fontan procedure patients.

Objective: The hemodynamic, respiratory, and sedative effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) for pediatric patients post-Fontan surgery.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Single institutional intensive care unit.

Participants: Fourteen patients undergoing Fontan-type surgery.

Result: A retrospective review was conducted on 14 pediatric patients who had undergone a Fontan procedure for congenital heart disease. A vital component of postoperative management of these patients is to prevent an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) that may lead to a serious reduction in cardiac output. DEX an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist might offer an advantage over current sedation methods in preventing a rise in PVR. Nine patients received sedation with DEX and five patients in a control group were administered standard regimens of sedation and analgesia. The DEX group exhibited no evidence of an increased partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide postoperatively as opposed to the control group. This lack of respiratory depression made the DEX group less likely to increase their PVR. However, the DEX group did experience a significant incidence of bradycardia that required the use of a cardiac pacemaker.

Conclusions: The results of this retrospective review of the role of DEX in the management of the post-Fontan surgical pediatric patient indicate some potential advantages.