Bradycardia leading to asystole during dexmedetomidine infusion in an 18 year-old double-lung transplant recipient.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2010

Abstract

The case of an 18 year-old double-lung transplant recipient recovering from acute respiratory distress syndrome who developed repeated episodes of bradycardia and asystole (maximum duration: 10 sec) during dexmedetomidine administration is presented. Increased baseline vagal tone, paroxysmal coughing spells, and opioid administration were likely contributors to the episodes. Discontinuation of the drug restored regular sinus rhythm. Double-lung transplant recipients may be at especially increased risk for this phenomenon as a result of changes in the autonomic innervation of the heart.

Volume

22

Issue

1

First Page

45

Last Page

49

ISSN

1873-4529

Disciplines

Anesthesiology | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

20206851

Department(s)

Department of Anesthesiology

Document Type

Article

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