Anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
The effect of dexmedetomidine on delirium and agitation in patients in intensive care: systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.
Delirium is common in intensive care patients. Dexmedetomidine is increasingly used for sedation in this setting, but its effect on delirium remains unclear. The primary aim of this review was to examine whether dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of delirium and agitation in intensive care patients. ⋯ The trial sequential analyses for the incidence of delirium, bradycardia and hypotension was conclusive but not for the incidence of agitation and mortality. In summary, this meta-analysis suggests that dexmedetomidine reduces the incidence of delirium and agitation in intensive care patients. The general quality of evidence ranged from moderate to high.