The efficacy of dexmedetomidine in patients with noninvasive ventilation: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
Agitation is associated with failure of noninvasive ventilation (NIV). We investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine in patients with NIV.


METHODS
This was a prospective clinical investigation in an intensive care unit. Dexmedetomidine was infused in 10 patients in whom NIV was difficult because of agitation.


RESULTS
Ramsay and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale scores were maintained at 2.94 +/- 0.94 and -1.23 +/- 1.30, respectively. All patients were successfully weaned from NIV, and the respiratory state was not worsened.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that dexmedetomidine is an effective sedative drug for patients with NIV.
Akada
Shinji
S
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan.
Takeda
Shinhiro
S
Yoshida
Yuko
Y
Nakazato
Keiko
K
Mori
Masaki
M
Hongo
Takashi
T
Tanaka
Keiji
K
Sakamoto
Atsuhiro
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000517:prevention & control; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine