title: Comparison of post-operative ICU sedation between dexmedetomidine and propofol in Indian population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation frequently need sedatives and analgesics to facilitate their care. Dexmedetomidine, a short-acting alpha-2-agonist, possesses anxiolytic, anesthetic, hypnotic, and analgesic properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in comparison to propofol in the management of sedation for post-operative intensive care unit (ICU) patients, as a sedative agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital, A phase III, prospective, open, randomized and comparative.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients who were ambulatory and who required the post-operative mechanical ventilation or post-operative sedation were enrolled, in which 15 patients received Dexmedetomidine and remaining 15 patients received propofol. All these patients were treated for the period of 8 to 24 h.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Chi-square test. The value of P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data were comparable. Pulse rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were comparable. Depth of sedation and extubation time were similar. To maintain analgesia throughout the study period, patients receiving propofol infusions required significantly more analgesics than patients receiving Dexmedetomidine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dexmedetomidine appears to be a safe and acceptable ICU sedative agent when both the clinician's and patient's perspectives are considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Prerana N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Vaibhao
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dongre
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology, Seth G S Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Sarla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pandya
authors.affiliation: Medical Services, Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mungantiwar
authors.affiliation: Medical Services, Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Amol
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Choulwar
keywords: Dexmedetomidine; intensive care unit sedation; propofol