Decreased duration of mechanical ventilation when comparing analgesia-based sedation using remifentanil with standard hypnotic-based sedation for up to 10 days in intensive care unit patients: a randomised trial [ISRCTN47583497].
BACKGROUND
This randomised, open-label, multicentre study compared the safety and efficacy of an analgesia-based sedation regime using remifentanil with a conventional hypnotic-based sedation regime in critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation for up to 10 days.


METHODS
One hundred and five randomised patients received either a remifentanil-based sedation regime (initial dose 6 to 9 microg kg(-1) h(-1) (0.1 to 0.15 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) titrated to response before the addition of midazolam for further sedation (n = 57), or a midazolam-based sedation regime with fentanyl or morphine added for analgesia (n = 48). Patients were sedated to an optimal Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS) score of 3 or 4 and a pain intensity (PI) score of 1 or 2.


RESULTS
The remifentanil-based sedation regime significantly reduced the duration of mechanical ventilation by more than 2 days (53.5 hours, P = 0.033), and significantly reduced the time from the start of the weaning process to extubation by more than 1 day (26.6 hours, P < 0.001). There was a trend towards shortening the stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) by 1 day. The median time of optimal SAS and PI was the same in both groups. There was a significant difference in the median time to offset of pharmacodynamic effects when discontinuing study medication in patients not extubated at 10 days (remifentanil 0.250 hour, comparator 1.167 hours; P < 0.001). Of the patients treated with remifentanil, 26% did not receive any midazolam during the study. In those patients that did receive midazolam, the use of remifentanil considerably reduced the total dose of midazolam required. Between days 3 and 10 the weighted mean infusion rate of remifentanil remained constant with no evidence of accumulation or of a development of tolerance to remifentanil. There was no difference between the groups in SAS or PI score in the 24 hours after stopping the study medication. Remifentanil was well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Analgesia-based sedation with remifentanil was well tolerated; it reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and improves the weaning process compared with standard hypnotic-based sedation regimes in ICU patients requiring long-term ventilation for up to 10 days.
Breen
Des
D
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK. des.breen@sth.nhs.uk
Karabinis
Andreas
A
Malbrain
Manu
M
Morais
Rex
R
Albrecht
Sven
S
Jarnvig
Inge-Lise
IL
Parkinson
Pauline
P
Kirkham
Andrew J T
AJ
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013997:Time Factors; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D010880:Piperidines; D000077208:Remifentanil; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl