Use of dexmedetomidine in intubated and non-intubated patients of critical care and its outcome

Background: Critically ill patients frequently encounter delirium. Dexmedetomidine has been approved by FDA and is being prescribed by clinician for delirium. We decided to conduct a study to assess the frequencies of different outcomes of dexmedetomidine in both intubated and non-intubated patients of critical care. Method: The study was conducted on 212 participants in Laiquat National Hospital and Medical College Karachi, Pakistan. All intubated and non-intubated patients with more than 12 h of critical care stay and more than 4 h of dexmedetomidine use were included. Data was collected for presence or absence of successful weaning, days on mechanical ventilation, days in critical care and mortality or clinical improvement. Result: Intubated patients. 78(70.9%) patients were successfully weaned and then extubated on dexmedetomidine while 2 patients (1.8%) self extubated their selves. Days on mechanical ventilation ranged from 2 to 6 day. While mortality rate was 22 (20.0%). In non-intubated patients mortality rate was 34(33.3%). Length of stay in critical care in all intubated and non-intubated patients ranged from 3 to 8 days. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine achieved light sedation which helped in better tolerance of patients to wean from mechanical ventilation. This helped in reduction in duration of mechanical ventilation and critical care stay. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.