Dexmedetomidine improves success of paediatric MRI sedation

Abstract

Objective: To improve success rates of children requiring sedation for MRI.

Methods: Audits of sedation success for children attending planned MRI using three different approaches: (1) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance (chloral hydrate if <15 kg and oral midazolam if ≥15 kg), (2) Chloral hydrate for all patients, (3) Chloral hydrate±intranasal dexmedetomidine if <15 kg and intranasal dexmedetomidine alone if ≥15 kg.

Results: 74 patients had 85 MRI scan attempts. Overall success rates were significantly higher when using intranasal dexmedetomidine compared with following NICE guidance (81% vs 52% p=0.017). Dexmedetomidine performed better than oral midazolam for the same indication (76% vs 33% p=0.026). The side effect profile for dexmedetomidine was as reported in larger studies.

Conclusions: Intranasal dexmedetomidine is an effective alternative to oral midazolam for sedation for MRI and as a rescue medication where chloral hydrate has been ineffective.

Keywords: child health; magnetic resonance imaging; paediatrics.