Perioperative dexmedetomidine reduces the risk of postoperative complications in high-risk patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial.
Chin Med J (Engl)Jul 10, 2026 (epub)
Zhaoting Meng, Ting Ding, Wei Zhao et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of perioperative dexmedetomidine on postoperative complications in high-risk elderly patients (age ≥60 years, RCRI ≥3) undergoing major non-cardiac surgery. The study found that dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the incidence of major postoperative complications to 38.2% compared to 52.9% in the control group (RR = 0.722, P = 0.015).
Key findings
- The incidence of major postoperative complications was 38.2% in the dexmedetomidine group versus 52.9% in the control group.
- Postoperative in-hospital stay was reduced by an average of 1 day in the dexmedetomidine group.
- The highest NLR in the first 3 postoperative days was lower in the dexmedetomidine group by 2.1.
Why it matters
Reducing postoperative complications is crucial for improving outcomes in high-risk surgical patients. This study suggests that dexmedetomidine may be an effective adjunct in managing these patients, potentially leading to shorter hospital stays and better recovery.