Effects of dexmedetomidine on pharyngeal swallowing and esophageal motility—A double‐blind randomized cross‐over study in healthy volunteers

Sedative agents increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration, where an intact swallowing function is an important defense mechanism. Dexmedetomidine is an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist widely used during procedural sedation due to beneficial properties with minimal respiratory effects. The effects of dexmedetomidine on pharyngeal swallowing and esophageal motility are not known in detail.