Study design and population
bradycardia
SECONDARY, SIDE EFFECT
This is a secondary analysis of the prospective, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled NEUPRODEX trial that took place between July 2014 and July 2018All patients received general anaesthesia induced with propofol and were maintained with either propofol or sevoflorane. All measures and procedures were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations. Our hospital pharmacy prepared syringes with dexmedetomidine or placebo, blinding both physicians and investigators. Starting ten minutes after induction, patients received either 0.7 µg/kg adjusted body weight (ABW)/h continuously or an equivalent volume of normal saline. The dose was reduced to 0.4 µg/kg ABW/h 30 min before the end of surgery. After arrival at the ICU, the dose was further reduced, but could be increased again to achieve a RASS score between 0 and − 1. During surgery, bradycardia as a side effect of dexmedetomidine was treated either by administration of orciprenaline or dose reduction of the syringe driver, containing either dexmedetomidine or placebo.For analysis, we classified patients according to anticholinergic burden of their permanent medication taken at home. The Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS) developed by Carnahan and his colleagues