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World J Anesthesiol. Mar 27, 2014; 3(1): 134-136
Published online Mar 27, 2014. doi: 10.5313/wja.v3.i1.134
Published online Mar 27, 2014. doi: 10.5313/wja.v3.i1.134
Dexmedetomidine vs propofol in intensive care unit patients
Valeria Fadda, Dario Maratea, Sabrina Trippoli, Andrea Messori, HTA Unit, Area Vasta Centro Toscana, Regional Health System, 50100 Firenze, Italy
Author contributions: Fadda V and Maratea D conducted the analyses; Trippoli S and Messori A designed the study and wrote the letter.
Correspondence to: Dr. Andrea Messori, HTA Unit, Area Vasta Centro Toscana, Regional Health System, Via San Salvi 12, 50100 Firenze, Italy. andrea.messori.it@gmail.com
Telephone: +39-338-9513583 Fax: +39-574-701319
Received: November 2, 2013
Revised: December 10, 2013
Accepted: December 17, 2013
Published online: March 27, 2014
Revised: December 10, 2013
Accepted: December 17, 2013
Published online: March 27, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Dexmedetomidine, a sedative agent for critically ill patients, has been studied in several randomized trials and in two meta-analyses. The clinical results were conflicting because of the diversity of the end-points and the small size of most studies. Since trial sequential analysis can improve the interpretation of controversial meta-analyses, we applied this technique to dexmedetomidine. According to our results, the comparison of dexmedetomidine vs propofol showed no proof of incremental effectiveness (for length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay and incidence of delirium) or of no incremental effectiveness (for duration of mechanical ventilation). Hence, the therapeutic role of dexmedetomidine in ICU is still uncertain.