title: Sedation and paralysis.
abstract: Sedation is used almost universally in the care of critically ill patients, especially in those who require mechanical ventilatory support or other life-saving invasive procedures. This review will focus on the sedation strategies for critically ill patients and the pharmacology of commonly used sedative agents. The role of neuromuscular blocking agents in the ICU will be examined and the pharmacology of commonly used agents is reviewed. Finally a strategy for rational use of these sedative and neuromuscular blocking agents in critically ill patients will be proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Annop
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piriyapatsom
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bittner
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hines
authors.forename: Ulrich H
authors.initials: UH
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D054810:Deep Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D010243:Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D015300:Ventilator Weaning
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents
keywords: critical illness; mechanical ventilation; neuromuscular blocking agent; sedation; sedatives