Dexmedetomidine on par with midazolam and propofol for ventilated patients in ICU

摘要

Dexmedetomidine is at least as good as midazolam or propofol for maintaining sedation of ventilated patients in intensive care, according to the results of two studies published in JAMA (2012-3,07:1151).Cathrine McKenzie, consultant pharmacist for critical care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, told Clinical Pharmacist that this research, comparing the newly licensed dexmedetomidine (see Box) with the most commonly used sedatives in intensive care, is a welcome addition to the literature on sedation practice.Researchers conducted two phase III, randomised, double-blind studies of dexmedetomidine - one comparing the drug with midazolam (MIDEX, n=500) and another comparing it with propofol (PRODEX, n=498). The primary outcomes were the proportion of time at the target sedation level and duration of mechanical sedation.