Dexmedetomidine for sedation in the parturient with respiratory failure requiring noninvasive ventilation.

Dexmedetomidine is a selective alpha-2 receptor agonist that possesses both sedative and analgesic properties, with minimal respiratory depression. We report the successful administration of dexmedetomidine on a 16-year-old primigravida woman that allowed the patient to tolerate application of bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation in treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure.