Dexmedetomidine vs Midazolam for Sedation of Critically Ill Patients (original) (raw)

The study compares the effectiveness and safety of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for sedation in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. It conducted a double-blind, randomized clinical trial across 68 intensive care units in five countries, examining outcomes related to sedation efficacy, patient safety, and delirium incidence. Results indicate that dexmedetomidine significantly reduced delirium prevalence and increased delirium-free days compared to midazolam, while also leading to quicker extubation times, although it was associated with a higher incidence of bradycardia.