Tolerance and Withdrawal Issues with Sedatives in the Intensive Care Unit

Seizures in 3 juvenile dogs after intravenous anesthetic drug withdrawal during weaning from mechanical ventilation suspected to be a sign of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To describe seizure activity in juvenile dogs successfully weaned from long-term mechanical ventilation.

CASE SERIES SUMMARY

Three juvenile dogs (all approximately 3 months old) underwent long-term mechanical ventilation with IV anesthesia for suspected noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Within 24 hours of extubation and within 10 hours of discontinuing midazolam continuous infusions, all dogs experienced seizures, which is 1 sign of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome. Each dog was treated with an anticonvulsant protocol, and none experienced seizures after being discharged.

NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED

Each dog received IV anesthesia, including fentanyl, dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and propofol, during mechanical ventilation and subsequently experienced seizures after successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. Juvenile dogs may be at risk for seizures after weaning from mechanical ventilation and IV anesthesia. Neurological monitoring and further research into an appropriate weaning protocol may prove beneficial in juvenile dogs requiring prolonged anesthesia.

Risk Factors Associated With Opioid/Benzodiazepine Iatrogenic Withdrawal Syndrome in COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

BackgroundMechanically ventilated COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients often receive deeper sedation and analgesia to maintain respiratory compliance and minimize staff exposure, which incurs greater risk of iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome (IWS) and has been associated with worse patient outcomes. Objective: To identify potential risk factors and differences in patient outcomes associated with the development of IWS in COVID-19 ARDS patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of ventilated COVID-19 ARDS intensive care unit (ICU) patients who received continuous intravenous (IV) analgesia and sedation for ≥5 days from March 2020-May 2021. Patients were classified as IWS and non-IWS based on receipt of scheduled oral sedative/analgesic regimens after cessation of IV therapy. Risk factors were assessed in univariate analyses and multivariable modeling. Results: A total of 115 patients were included. The final multivariable model showed: (1) each additional day of IV opioid therapy was associated with an 8% increase in odds of IWS (95% CI, 1.02-1.14), (2) among sedatives, receipt of lorazepam was associated with 3 times higher odds of IWS (95% CI 1.12-8.15), and (3) each 1-point increase in Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II was associated with a 4% reduction in odds of IWS (95% CI 0.93-0.999). Conclusion: Prolonged and high dose exposures to IV opioids and benzodiazepines should be limited when possible. Additional prospective studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors to prevent IWS.