Dexmedetomidine Weakens Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation as Assessed by Transfer Function Analysis and the Thigh Cuff Method

Abstract

Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, the current results of two experimental analyses suggest together that dexmedetomidine weakens dynamic cerebral autoregulation and delays restoration in CBF velocity during conditions of decreased steady state CBF velocity. Therefore, dexmedetomidine may lead to further sustained reductions in CBF during temporal decreases in arterial pressure.