title: Treating agitation with dexmedetomidine in the ICU.
abstract: Patients in the intensive care unit frequently experience delirium, anxiety, and agitation, with a variety of treatments used. This article discusses the role of an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine, and its clinical relevance and advantages for the agitated patient.
authors.affiliation: Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. jake@atlanticbb.net
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boyer
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008125:Locus Coeruleus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D018341:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2; D020927:Dexmedetomidine