Persistent hypertensive response following dexmedetomidine infusion in a patient with cervical spinal cord injury

Abstract

We report a 19-year-old male patient, an operated case of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for traumatic C5-C6 vertebral injury, who developed persistent hypertension following dexmedetomidine infusion in the Intensive Care Unit to enable tolerance of noninvasive ventilation mask. This unusual side effect should be borne in mind when using this drug in patients with cervical spine injuries.