Dexmedetomidine vs Labetalol for Airway Stress in Hypertensive Craniotomy Patients

Launched by AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY · Jun 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is a randomized, double-blind comparison of two drugs—dexmedetomidine and labetalol—given during surgery to help control airway stress and stabilize blood pressure and heart rate when the breathing tube is removed after craniotomy in people with hypertension. The main goal is to see which drug leads to a smoother extubation within the first 5 minutes after the tube is removed, using a simple 5-point scale (lower scores are better). Secondary checks include how alert or sedated people are right after extubation, how much their blood pressure and heart rate change in the first few minutes, and whether any safety problems occur.

Who can participate: adults aged 30–60 with diagnosed hypertension who are planned for elective craniotomy under general anesthesia and have ASA II health status, able to give informed consent. People are excluded if they have more serious health problems (ASA III/IV), uncontrolled conditions, bleeding risks or anticoagulant use, allergies to either drug, emergency surgery, pregnancy, certain heart rhythm issues, or inability to participate. About 60 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either dexmedetomidine (0.5 mcg/kg) or labetalol (0.5 mg/kg) over 10 minutes before extubation, at Ain Shams University in Cairo, and the trial is currently enrolling by invitation with completion expected around August 31, 2025. Safety monitoring includes watching for very slow heart rate, significant blood pressure drops, breathing problems, severe coughing, nausea, and other adverse events.

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age between 30 and 60 years
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II
• • Diagnosed hypertension
• • Scheduled for elective craniotomy under general anesthesia
• • Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • ASA physical status III or IV
• • Uncontrolled comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
• • Coagulopathy or current use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy
• • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to dexmedetomidine or labetalol
• • Emergency craniotomy
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• • Patients with a history of severe cardiac arrhythmias
• • Inability to provide informed consent