Methods of treating pediatric patients using dexmedetomidine

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of administering an effective amount of dexmedetomidine to a pediatric patient in order to reduce the incidence of neurological damage. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods of providing sedation or analgesia to a pediatric patient by administering a dexmedetomidine infusion and optionally a loading dose. The dexmedetomidine can be administered before, during, or after surgery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a heart disorder in a pediatric patient in need thereof, wherein the method comprises administering dexmedetomidine before, during or after surgery to the pediatric patient;
 wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered as a dose consisting essentially of a loading dose at a concentration of between about 0.005 to about 2 μg/kg; and   wherein the pediatric patient is greater than 3 years to less than about 17 years of age.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pediatric patient is intubated. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered to the pediatric patient in an intensive care unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is parenterally administered. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered by an intravenous infusion. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surgery is heart surgery. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the dexmedetomidine is administered after cardiopulmonary bypass.