Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Pharmacokinetic Study in Congenital Cardiac Patients

Children’s Heart Association of Cincinnati Project Commitment - $30,000

Primary Investigators: Jeff Miller, MD and Andreas Loepke, MD, PhD
Study Timeline: 2016-Present

A newer pediatric sedative technique, intranasal dexmedetomidine, is being utilized extensively for young children with congenital cardiac disease under the care of pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. There are considerable variations between patients in the degree of sedation achieved with this medication. Some of this variation may be explained by differences in absorption and how quickly drug levels are achieved following intranasal administration. There are no studies measuring these important variables for intranasal dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients. Accordingly, our study will determine the pharmacokinetic profile of intranasal dexmedetomidine in young children, which will provide important information on how to use the drug and thereby improve safety of pediatric sedation.