Effect of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Shivering in Cesarean Section after Spinal Anaesthesia

Open Access

Abstract

Introduction: One of the most common and disturbing side effects of spinal Anaesthesia is body shivering, especially during cesarean delivery, which severely affects the mother's comfort, and hemodynamic changes may result. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of intravenously administered dexmedetomidine on the incidence and severity of shivering in patients undergoing cesarean section under spinal Anaesthesia. Methods & Materials: This prospective cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Anaesthesiology at 250 Bedded General Hospital, Gopalganj, for a period of six months from July, 2024 to December, 2024. The study population was the parturients undergoing cesarean section under spinal Anaesthesia during the study period. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were pre-set, set and a total of 102 patients were selected by purposive sampling. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Result: There was a marked decrease in the incidence of shivering in the dexmedetomidine group when compared to the control group (15.7% vs. 56.9%; p < 0.001). Most patients had no shivering in the dexmedetomidine group when compared to the control group (84.3% vs. 43.1%), and there were no cases of severe shivering in the dexmedetomidine group compared to 13.7% in the control group (p < 0.001). There was a more frequent occurrence of moderate sedation with dexmedetomidine (62.7% vs. 11.8%; p < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the dexmedetomidine group had significantly lower mean heart rate. However, the mean arterial pressure was similar in both groups. Bradycardia was noted more frequently with dexmedetomidine use, but the patients were asymptomatic. The incidence of adverse events was the same for both groups, but the requirement for rescue anti- shivering drugs was drastically less in the dexmedetomidine group (5.9% vs. 41.2%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Intravenous dexmedetomidine may be regarded as a highly potent drug for decreasing the frequency as well as severity of shivering in parturients who have undergone cesarean section under spinal Anaesthesia. Also, it results in a proper level of sedation, complying with hemodynamic stability. Besides, the employment of dexmedetomidine markedly reduces the need for rescue anti-shivering medication while not resulting in an elevation of the adverse effects.