Dexmedetomidine: New avenues

DOI: 10.4103/0970-9185.83670 Alpha (α)-2-Adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists have been the focus of interest for their sedative, analgesic, perioperative sympatholytic, anesthetic-sparing, and hemodynamic-stabilizing properties.[1] Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-AR agonist with a relatively high ratio of α2/ α 1-activity (1620:1 as compared to 220:1 for clonidine), possesses all these properties but lacks respiratory depression,[2,3] making it a useful and safe adjunct in diverse clinical applications.[4] Numerous investigations into its uses have featured in various issues of this journal. This editorial aims to provide an overview of its current clinical status and new therapeutic avenues under investigation.