The efficacy of dexmedetomidine-based monitored-anaesthesia care for pediatric gamma knife radiosurgery - Dexmedetomidine for pediatric gamma knife radio surgery

Intravenous sedation was commenced with a loading dose of dexmedetomidine (6 mcg/kg for 10 minutes) and boluses of ketamine and fentanyl. Dexmedetomidine infusion rate was subsequently changed between 0.3 and 1.0 mcg/kg/h according to the patient's heart rate. The level of dexmedetomidine plasma concentration was comparable with that used for patients in intensive care, though the required infusion rate was higher than in adult cases (0.2-0.7 mcg/kg/h).