Suppression of Shivering during Hypothermia Using a Novel Drug Combination in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Background: Hypothermia may be beneficial in stroke victims; however, it provokes vigorous shivering. Buspirone and dexmedetomidine each linearly reduce the shivering threshold with minimal sedation and no respiratory depression. This study tested the hypotheses that the combination of buspirone and dexmedetomidine would (1) synergistically reduce the shivering threshold, (2) synergistically reduce die gain and maximum intensity of shivering, and (3) produce sufficient inhibition to permit cooling to 34 degrees C without excessive hypotension or sedation.