Dexmedetomidine for the treatment of delirium in the intensive care unit: do we need more evidence for adult and pediatric patients?

摘要

Delirium in critically ill patients is known to be independently associated with increased morbidity.1 Its incidence in the intensive care unit (ICU) ranges from 20.40%, up to 80% in mechanically ventilated. In the pediatric-ICU, up to 40% of children and 50% of infants experience delirium.1, 2 Despite the extent of the problem, delirium is still too often misinterpreted and underestimated, and its prevention and treatment remain challenging. The last decades have witnessed an intense effort to increase the awareness of this problem, develop new diagnostic tools, and investigate the best prevention and treatment strategies.