Comparison of Dexmedetomidine Versus Propofol in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With Sepsis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine compared with propofol in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of dexmedetomidine versus propofol in septic patients requiring mechanical ventilation from inception to December 2021. The primary outcome was 28/30-day mortality and secondary outcomes were ventilator-free days and the length of ICU stay. Pooled relative risk (RR), mean deviation (MD), along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to express outcomes by the software of Review Manager 5.3.Results: Seven studies with a total of 1,212 patients were eligible for meta-analysis. The results primarily showed that dexmedetomidine had no significant effects on the 28/30-day mortality (RR = 1.04 [0.85–1.26], p = 0.70, I2 = 3%). As for secondary outcomes, the administration of dexmedetomidine was not associated with longer-ventilator-free days (MD = 0.50 [−2.15, 3.15], p = 0.71, I2 = 24%) compared with propofol. However, our results revealed dexmedetomidine could shorten the length of ICU stay (MD = −0.76 [−1.34, −0.18], p = 0.01, I2 = 33%).Conclusion: Administration of dexmedetomidine for sedation in septic patients who required mechanical ventilation had no effect on 28/30-day mortality and ventilator-free days, but it could shorten the length of ICU stay.

Comparing different postoperative sedation strategies for patients in the intensive care unit after cardiac surgery: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials and network meta‐analysis

“…An appropriate sedation protocol not only shortens the duration of MV but also alleviates inflammatory and stress responses. While some studies have focused on the different sedation protocols, 6,17,18 there is a lack of systematic research addressing their impact on MV duration in patients after cardiac surgery.…”