Using of dexmedetomidine in term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

The negative impacts of standard pharmacologic sedative agents suggest that alternative agents should be investigated. Dexmedetomidine could be the new option for sedation in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy requiring mechanical ventilation. The aim – to determine the impact of dexmedetomidine and other sedatives on the cerebral blood flow and outcomes of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in term neonates. Data of 205 term infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by Sarnat scale stage II-III were collected during ≤72 hours of life. The infants were divided using a simple open randomization by pharmacological sedative agents during mechanical ventilation into dexmedetomidine group (n=46) and the control group (n=159), which included morphine, sodium oxybutyrate, and diazepam in standard recommended doses. A comparative analysis of the effect of dexmedetomidine and other drugs on cerebral perfusion and outcomes of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was performed. A significant difference between groups in days of trachea extubation (p=0.022) was found; the chance for babies to be extubated before the 7th day of treatment was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group 68% versus 33% in the control group (p=0.018) with HR 0.48 (95% CI 0.27-0.86, p=0.011). Also, the NIRS index rScO2 differed significantly between the studied and control groups on the 1st day of treatment (65% versus 79%, p=0.012) and on the 2nd day of treatment (74% versus 81%, p=0.035). Mean arterial pressure was higher in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the control group – (58 [51-65] mm Hg versus 53 [46-60] mm Hg, p<0.001), with a lower dose of dobutamine (EV -1.87, 95% CI from -3.25 to -0.48, p=0.009). In the dexmedetomidine group, the rate of seizures was significantly lower on the 1st day of obser­vation (4.3% versus 48.3%, p <0.001); the incidence of unfavorable outcome sueh as cerebral leukomalacia was also 7 times lower in the dexmedetomidine group compared to the control group (2.2% versus 15.1%, p=0.018). Dexme­detomidine is a safe sedative agent with a stable hemodynamic profile, without adverse influence on cerebral perfusion and possible neuroprotective effects in term infants with HIE, as addition to standard therapeutic hypothermia.