What are the principal cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine?

What are the principal cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine?

• A. Bradycardia and hypotension
• B. Tachycardia and hypertension
• C. Bradycardia with hypertension
• D. No cardiovascular effects

Answer: (A)

Dexmedetomidine works mainly by activating alpha-2 receptors in the central nervous system, which reduces sympathetic nervous activity. This sympatholytic effect lowers heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, so the most common cardiovascular outcome during its use is bradycardia with a fall in blood pressure. While a rapid IV bolus can cause a brief, transient rise in blood pressure due to peripheral vasoconstriction, the enduring and clinically relevant pattern is bradycardia with hypotension. Options suggesting tachycardia with hypertension or no cardiovascular effects don’t match the typical hemodynamic profile observed with dexmedetomidine.

Dexmedetomidine works mainly by activating alpha-2 receptors in the central nervous system, which reduces sympathetic nervous activity. This sympatholytic effect lowers heart rate and relaxes blood vessels, so the most common cardiovascular outcome during its use is bradycardia with a fall in blood pressure.

While a rapid IV bolus can cause a brief, transient rise in blood pressure due to peripheral vasoconstriction, the enduring and clinically relevant pattern is bradycardia with hypotension. Options suggesting tachycardia with hypertension or no cardiovascular effects don’t match the typical hemodynamic profile observed with dexmedetomidine.