Dexmedetomidine is a novel drug which is a selective a2-adrenoceptor agonist. It has unique properties of producing sedation, anxiolysis, amnesia and analgesia but at the same time without respiratory depression.

It provides a unique “conscious sedation” (patients appear to be asleep, but are readily roused), analgesia, without respiratory depression. It decreases central nervous system (CNS) sympathetic outflow in a dose dependent manner and has analgesic effects best described as opioid-sparing. There is increasing evidence of its organ protective effects against ischemic and hypoxic injury, including cardioprotection, neuroprotection and renoprotection.

This article is intended to highlight special situations in cardiac anesthesia (especially paediatric) where dexmedetomidine plays a crucial role.

Keywords: Dexmedetomidine; Cardiac Anesthesia; Pediatric.