Which statement best describes the thermoregulatory effect of dexmedetomidine?

Which statement best describes the thermoregulatory effect of dexmedetomidine?

• A. Impair thermoregulatory response with an antishivering effect
• B. Improves thermoregulation leading to shivering
• C. Causes hyperthermia
• D. Has no effect on thermoregulation

Answer: (A)

Dexmedetomidine blunts the body's thermoregulatory defenses, producing an antishivering effect. It acts as an alpha-2 agonist in the CNS, particularly reducing sympathetic outflow and norepinephrine release. This shifts the cold-defense responses downward, lowering the shivering threshold and dampening vasoconstrictive responses. Clinically, this means patients may not mount a strong shivering response to mild hypothermia and can become mildly hypothermic without shivering. It does not cause hyperthermia and it does not enhance thermoregulation to promote shivering, so the description of impairing thermoregulatory response with an anti-shivering effect best captures its effect.

Dexmedetomidine blunts the body's thermoregulatory defenses, producing an antishivering effect. It acts as an alpha-2 agonist in the CNS, particularly reducing sympathetic outflow and norepinephrine release. This shifts the cold-defense responses downward, lowering the shivering threshold and dampening vasoconstrictive responses. Clinically, this means patients may not mount a strong shivering response to mild hypothermia and can become mildly hypothermic without shivering. It does not cause hyperthermia and it does not enhance thermoregulation to promote shivering, so the description of impairing thermoregulatory response with an anti-shivering effect best captures its effect.