Effects of dexmedetomidine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, on renal sympathetic nerve activity, blood pressure, heart rate and central venous pressure in urethane-anesthetized rabbits.

Initial bradycardia after DXM is mediated via the baroreflex, and HR reductions may result mainly from central sympathetic depression, which is likely to be attributable to its peripheral vascular effects including the stimulation of pre-synaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors, rather than to central sympathetic depressed effects.