Dexmedetomidine is a selective α-adrenergic agonist with high α-2 receptor affinity that is used for sedation, analgesia, and as an anxiolytic. Withdrawal symptoms, although rare, include agitation, irritability, headache, and rebound hypertension, which can occur following abrupt cessation of the medication. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a clinical condition presenting secondary to acute hypertension that results in neurologic symptoms including headache, seizures, altered sensorium, and loss of vision. These symptoms are coupled with typically reversible characteristic magnetic resonance imaging changes. We present the first reported case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome after a hypertensive crisis likely precipitated by dexmedetomidine withdrawal.
Keywords: dexmedetomidine; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome; withdrawal.