European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Sedation in Intensive Care patients is to reduce discomfort from interventions, increase tolerance to mechanical ventilation, prevent accidental removal of equipments, and reduce metabolic demands during cardiovascular and respiratory instability.
Methods: Sixty patients requiring post-operative mechanical ventilation admitted in intensive care unit were enrolled, in which 30 patients received Dexmedetomidine and remaining 30 patients received Propofol. All these patients were treated for the period of 24 h. The Ramsay sedation score,visual analogue scale (VAS), haemodynamic variables, were compared using independent sample t test.
Results: The mean total sedation requirement was 495+185 μg in Dexmedetomidine group and 55.7+21.7 mg in Propofol group. The mean hourly dose of sedative was 0.34+0.13 μg/kg/hr. in Dexmedetomidine group and 0.042+ 0.017 mg/kg/hr. in Propofol group. Patients in Propofol group required more number of rescue  analgesics compared to Dexmedetomidine group.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine and Propofol are safe sedative agents for mechanically ventilated patients. Patient were easily aroused to co-operate without signs of irritations with less rescue analgesia in the Dexmedetomidine group.