Dexmedetomidine is an α2 agonist and remifentanil is a short-acting μ, opioid agonist. The aim of this study was to compare dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusions used for conscious sedation in geriatric patients undergoing outpatient cataract surgery in terms of sedation quality, hemodynamic stability, and surgeon satisfaction.~Eighty patients were divided into two groups according to the administration of dexmedetomidine (Group D) and remifentanil (Group R) infusion in this randomized, prospective, double-blinded study. In group D (n = 40), after a loading of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine in 10 minutes, 0.4 µg/kg/h-1 infusion was administered. In Group R (n = 40), remifentanil at a dose of 0.05 µg/kg-1 was administered for 10 minutes, and then 0.05 µg/kg/min-1 infusion was continued.
Dexmedetomidine is an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for its sympatholytic effect, providing sedation, analgesia, and cardiovascular stabilization in the perioperative period. Remifentanil is a µ opioid agonist with a rapid onset and short duration of action, which is degraded by plasma esterase in tissues. Investigators aimed to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusions on sedation quality, side effects, and surgeon's satisfaction in geriatric outpatients who underwent cataract surgery.