Effect of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine on Shivering in Cesarean Section under Intrathecal Anesthesia: Randomized Clinical Trial

Shivering is one of the most common side effects after cesarean section (C-section) under spinal or epidural anesthesia. However, it is often not treated.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous dexmedetomidine (DEX) in the prevention of shivering after intrathecal anesthesia in women undergoing C-sections.

This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 80 women candidates for elective C-sections under intrathecal anesthesia who were referred to Imam Khomeini Governmental Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, during 2020 - 2021. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of intravenous DEX (group D; 0.5 µg/kg) and normal saline (control, group C) and received the medications after umbilical cord clamping. All patients were evaluated during and after surgery for hemodynamic changes, the incidence and severity of shivering based on Chu and Tsai, side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting), and sedation level based on the Ramsey scale.

The incidence of shivering in group C was significantly higher than in group D (P = 0.003). Moreover, the severity of shivering on minutes 20, 30, and 45 in group C was significantly higher than in group D (P < 0.05). The mean sedation score during minutes 10 - 30 in group D was significantly higher than in group C (P < 0.05). Heart rate was not significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in group D than in group C (P < 0.05).

The administration of intravenous DEX effectively reduces the incidence and severity of shivering and provides appropriate sedation in patients undergoing C-sections, and it does not cause remarkable side effects.