Dexmedetomidine vs haloperidol in delirious, agitated, intubated patients

Dexmedetomidine vs. haloperidol in delirious, agitated, intubated
patients: a randomised open-label trial. Critical Care 2009 13:R75 [Journal article]

Reade, M.C., O'Sullivan, K., Bates, S., Goldsmith, D., StJ Ainslie, W.R., Bellomo, R.

http://ccforum.com/content/13/3/R75

Agitated delirium is common in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, and is often treated with haloperidol despite concerns about safety and efficacy. Use of conventional sedatives to control agitation can preclude extubation. Dexmedetomidine, a novel sedative and anxiolytic agent, may have particular utility in these patients. We sought to compare the efficacy of haloperidol and
dexmedetomidine in facilitating extubation. In this preliminary pilot study, we found dexmedetomidine a promising agent for the treatment of ICU-associated delirious agitation, and we suggest this warrants further testing in a definitive double-blind multi-centre trial.