OPEN Research Support
head

physician
Use of dexmedetomidine in critically ill adult patients admitted to Scandinavian ICU's
1) Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Odense University Hospital, Denmark


Projekt styring
Projekt status    Open
 
Data indsamlingsdatoer
Start 01.05.2024  
Slut 31.12.2024  
 



Use of dexmedetomidine in critically ill adult patients admitted to Scandinavian ICU's.

Short summary

The aim of this study is to describe the use of dexmedetomidine in a Scandinavian Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to identify needs for future studies.


Rationale

Critically ill patients admitted to an ICU often receive sedatives to facilitate treatment and to relieve stress and anxiety and induce sleep. When sedation is used, there is a risk of prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay as well as an increase in hospital-acquired infections and mortality1-3. Awake patients might present an increased risk of delirium and increased workload on staff4-6. Delirium is a common condition in the ICU, with incidences ranging from 25%-80%10-15 and is also associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased mortality, expenses, and cognitive disorders after discharge from the ICU16. Dexmedetomidine is an alpha2 agonist with 8-fold greater α2:α1 receptor selectivity than clonidine. It is licensed for ICU sedation, and its applicability has been tested in numerous settings and populations and with different comparators17-18. It has previously been described that dexmedetomidine may reduce delirium, the length of mechanical ventilation, and days admitted to the ICU, but with increased risk of bradycardia and hypotension17,18. Dexmedetomidine are used worldwide as an active agent against delirium (Collet et al 2018). The SPICE III trial reported no difference in mortality between the total trial population receiving dexmedetomidine on top of standard care and those receiving standard care19. However, a subgroup analysis showed a tendency toward a lower mortality in patients >63,7 years receiving dexmeditomidine20. An international survey revealed substantial international differences in sedation strategies and drugs of choice21. Earlier trials have mainly focused on comparing dexmedetomidine with standard care including benzodiazepine and propofol20,22,23. No trials have focused on comparing dexmedetomidine with no- or less sedation. The aim of this study is to examine indications, clinical use, adverse effects, and attitudes towards further clinical implementation and research in dexmedetomidine among physicians and nurses in Scandinavian ICU departments.


Description of the cohort

The questionnaire will be distributed through locally appointed investigators. Eligible respondents will be ICU nurses and physicians, specialized in intensive care medicine, clinical specialist and resource ICU clinicians working daily in a Scandinavian ICU department (mixed or specialized).


Data and biological material

An online questionnaire