Dexmedetomidine in Critically Ill Adults Requiring Noninvasive Ventilation

Link to article at PubMed

Acad Emerg Med. 2021 Aug 9. doi: 10.1111/acem.14368. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an effective therapy for hypercapnic and hypoxemic respiratory failure and can reduce the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation.1 It may also reduce intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, pneumonia, and mortality.2-6 However, NIV can be uncomfortable for patients due to the mask interface and respiratory pressures delivered, and over one-third of patients placed on NIV will experience agitation.7,8 Intolerance to NIV typically requires intubation. A variety of interventions can be utilized to improve compliance with NIV, including medications such as dexmedetomidine, an α-2 agonist with sedative and analgesic effects.9 Current guidelines recommend the use of a non-benzodiazepine sedative such as propofol or dexmedetomidine in critically ill, mechanically ventilated adults, as these medications may improve delirium, ICU length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation.10.

PMID:34374168 | DOI:10.1111/acem.14368

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