Sedative drugs used for mechanically ventilated patients in intensive care units: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Benzodiazepine Dependence After Cardiothoracic Intensive Care: A Nationwide Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to describe benzodiazepine use after cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) care, including factors associated with new long-term high-potency benzodiazepine use after critical care, and to determine whether benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of death.

METHODS

A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted of all cardiothoracic ICU patients in Sweden between 2010 and 2018. All patients older than 18 years who survived the first 3 months after admission to a cardiothoracic ICU were eligible for inclusion. A total of 36,135 patients were screened, and 4163 were ineligible.

RESULTS

In the final study cohort of 31,972 benzodiazepine-naive patients admitted to critical care, 578 patients had persistent high-potency benzodiazepine use. The proportion of new persistent benzodiazepine users was 5% in the first 3 months after ICU care, followed by a decline to a consistent level of 2% at 2 years of follow-up. Factors associated with persistent benzodiazepine use included higher age, female sex, psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, substance abuse, and preadmission opioid and low-potency benzodiazepine use. Adjusted hazard ratio for death 6 to 18 months after admission for new persistent benzodiazepine users was 2.2 (95% CI, 1.5-3.1; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

High-potency benzodiazepine consumption is increased 2 years after admission to cardiothoracic ICU care despite lack of support for long-term use of benzodiazepines. Being older and female, prior opioid use, and comorbid conditions were among risk factors for persistent benzodiazepine use. Persistent benzodiazepine users had an increased risk of death.

Incidence of Adverse Events Using Flumazenil in Patients With Iatrogenic Benzodiazepine Delirium: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Flumazenil is a competitive benzodiazepine (BZD) antagonist most used for treating delirium in BZD overdoses. Since its introduction, many have expressed concerns about its safety secondary to the risk of inducing BZD withdrawal and refractory seizures.

STUDY QUESTION

What is the incidence of adverse drug events after the administration of flumazenil in patients with suspected iatrogenic BZD delirium?

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients from a single center from 2010 to 2013. Patients experiencing delirium after receiving BZDs in the hospital were included if they had a bedside toxicology consult and were administered flumazenil. Patients were excluded if they were given BZDs for ethanol withdrawal or if they did not have mental status documentation before and after flumazenil administration. Descriptive statistics were calculated.

MEASURES AND OUTCOMES

The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse drug events after flumazenil administration. The secondary outcome was the efficacy of flumazenil determined by the patient's mental status.

RESULTS

A total of 501 patient records were reviewed, and 206 patients were included in the final analysis. Of those patients, 172 (83.5%) experienced an objective improvement in their mental status within 1 hour after flumazenil administration. A total of 5 patients experienced adverse events (2.4%), 95% confidence interval (0.78, 5.54). Of these, 3 patients experienced minor agitation or restlessness without pharmacologic intervention. Two patients experienced moderate agitation or restlessness that resolved with haloperidol or physostigmine administration. No patients had a reported seizure, 95% confidence interval (0.0, 1.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Flumazenil seems to be a safe and effective intervention for the reversal of delirium secondary to iatrogenic BZD administration.

The impact of ketamine on outcomes in critically ill patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effects of ketamine in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODS

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library; the search was performed initially in January but was repeated in December of 2023. We focused on ICU patients of any age. We included studies that compared ketamine with other traditional agents used in the ICU. We synthesized evidence using RevMan v5.4 and presented the results as forest plots. We also used trial sequential analysis (TSA) software v. 0.9.5.10 Beta and presented results as TSA plots. For synthesizing results, we used a random-effects model and reported differences in outcomes of two groups in terms of mean difference (MD), standardized MD, and risk ratio with 95% confidence interval. We assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB tool for RCTs. Our outcomes were mortality, pain, opioid and midazolam requirements, delirium rates, and ICU length of stay.

RESULTS

Twelve RCTs involving 805 ICU patients (ketamine group, n=398; control group, n=407) were included in the meta-analysis. The ketamine group was not superior to the control group in terms of mortality (in five studies with 318 patients), pain (two studies with 129 patients), mean and cumulative opioid consumption (six studies with 494 patients), midazolam consumption (six studies with 304 patients), and ICU length of stay (three studies with 270 patients). However, the model favored the ketamine group over the control group in delirium rate (four studies with 358 patients). This result is significant in terms of conventional boundaries (alpha=5%) but is not robust in sequential analysis. The applicability of the findings is limited by the small number of patients pooled for each outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis did not demonstrate differences between ketamine and control groups regarding any outcome except delirium rate, where the model favored the ketamine group over the control group. However, this result is not robust as sensitivity analysis and trial sequential analysis suggest that more RCTs should be conducted in the future.

Ketamine as adjunctive or monotherapy for post-intubation sedation in patients with trauma on mechanical ventilation: A rapid review

Background

The effectiveness of ketamine as adjunctive or monotherapy for post-intubation sedation in adults with trauma on mechanical ventilation is unclear.

Methods

A rapid review of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials, then randomized controlled trials or observational studies was conducted searching three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library) and one clinical trial registry on June 1, 2022. We used a prespecified protocol following Cochrane rapid review methods.

Results

We identified eight systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Among the included reviews, only the most relevant, up to date, highest quality-assessed reviews and reviews that reported on critical outcomes were considered. Adjunctive ketamine showed a morphine sparing effect (MD -13.19 µmg kg-1 h-1, 95 % CI -22.10 to -4.28, moderate certainty of evidence, 6 RCTs), but no to little effect on midazolam sparing effect (MD 0.75 µmg kg-1 h-1, 95 % CI -1.11 to 2.61, low certainty of evidence, 6 RCTs) or duration of mechanical ventilation in days (MD -0.17 days, 95 % CI -3.03 to 2.69, moderate certainty of evidence, 3 RCTs).Adjunctive ketamine therapy may reduce mortality (OR 0.88, 95 % CI 0.54 to 1.43, P = 0.60, very low certainty of evidence, 5 RCTs, n = 3076 patients) resulting in 30 fewer deaths per 1000, ranging from 132 fewer to 87 more, but the evidence is very uncertain. Ketamine results in little to no difference in length of ICU stay (MD 0.04 days, 95 % CI -0.12 to 0.20, high certainty of evidence, 5 RCTs n = 390 patients) or length of hospital stay (MD -0.53 days, 95 % CI -1.36 to 0.30, high certainty of evidence, 5 RCTs, n = 277 patients).Monotherapy may have a positive effect on respiratory and haemodynamic outcomes, however the evidence is very uncertain.

Conclusion

Adjunctive ketamine for post-intubation analgosedation results in a moderate meaningful net benefit but there is uncertainty for benefit and harms as monotherapy.

Halogenated anesthetics vs intravenous hypnotics for short and long term sedation in the intensive care unit: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To comprehensively assess peer-reviewed studies using volatile (VA) or intravenous (i/v) anesthetics for sedation in intensive care units (ICUs), with the hypothesis that the type of sedation may have an impact on survival and other clinically relevant outcomes.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized trials.

SETTING

ICUs.

PARTICIPANTS

Critically ill and postoperative patients.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Studies comparing VA versus i/v anesthetics used in the ICU settings were independently systematically searched. Finally, 15 studies (1520 patients of predominantly surgical profile needed VA sedation for less than 96h) were included. VA had no impact on all-cause mortality (very low quality of evidence, Odds Ratio=0.82 [0.60-1.12], p=0.20). However, VA were associated with a reduction in duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.03) and increase in ventilator-free days (p<0.001). VA also reduced postoperative levels of cardiac troponin (24h), time to extubation (p<0.001) and awakening (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In this meta-analysis, volatile sedation vs propofol caused the increase in ventilator-free days, the reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation, time to extubation and the troponin release in medical or surgical ICU patients, while in surgical ICU patients the time to awakening was shortened.

Perioperative Optimization of the Cardiac Surgical Patient

Perioperative optimization of cardiac surgical patients is imperative to reduce complications, utilize health care resources efficiently, and improve patient recovery and quality of life. Standardized application of evidence-based best practices can lead to better outcomes. Although many practices should be applied universally to all patients, there are also opportunities along the surgical journey to identify patients who will benefit from additional interventions that will further ameliorate their recovery. Enhanced recovery programs aim to bundle several process elements in a standardized fashion to optimize outcomes after cardiac surgery. A foundational concept of enhanced recovery is attaining a better postsurgical end point for patients, in less time, through achievement and maintenance in their greatest possible physiologic, functional, and psychological state. Perioperative optimization is a broad topic, spanning multiple phases of care and involving a variety of medical specialties and nonphysician health care providers. In this review we highlight a variety of perioperative care topics, in which a comprehensive approach to patient care can lead to improved results for patients, providers, and the health care system. A particular focus on patient-centred care is included. Although existing evidence supports all of the elements reviewed, most require further improvements in implementation, as well as additional research, before their full potential and usefulness can be determined.

Effectiveness of aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality among adult patients admitted into intensive care units: A systematic review

PURPOSE

This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality among adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search for published and unpublished studies across nine databases and sources were conducted. Randomised Controlled Trials and Controlled Clinical Trials, which assessed the effectiveness of aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality among intensive care unit patients, were included in this review. Only studies that used aromatherapy as a single intervention were included. Narrative synthesis was conducted across all outcomes due to high heterogeneity across studies.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies involving 2176 participants across six countries were included in this review. Most studies had an overall high risk of bias. Publication bias was detected in the studies. Findings have shown that aromatherapy may be effective in reducing anxiety based on the low GRADE certainty of evidence, and improving sleep quality based on the very low GRADE certainty of evidence. Inconsistencies in findings were also observed.

CONCLUSION

Aromatherapy might be beneficial on anxiety and sleep quality among intensive care unit patients, however, the level of evidence is very low, based on the low quality of studies. Considerations can be made to incorporate aromatherapy into existing interventions that improve anxiety and sleep quality in the intensive care unit. Due to inconsistencies in findings, further research can be done to investigate and strengthen these evidence.

IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

This review has demonstrated that aromatherapy may have benefits on anxiety and sleep quality. Despite uncertain evidence, aromatherapy may still be considered as a complementary or alternative option to improve anxiety and sleep quality among intensive care patients as it is relatively safe, cost-effective and easy to implement (Buckle, 2014). However, proper training by a professional clinical aromatherapist is needed to ensure there is screening of patients for suitability, proper technique for administering aromatherapy, safe handling of essential oils and monitoring for adverse events (Farrar & Farrar, 2020).

Early Sedation Depth and Clinical Outcomes in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in a Hospital: Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the early sedation depth in the first 48 hours of mechanical ventilation and its relationship to clinical outcomes to promote the transition to light sedation.

METHODS

This retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted in two medical intensive care units (MICUs) at a general tertiary hospital, using a standardized sedation protocol. To investigate the early sedation depth, the Sedation Index was used, which can indicate changes over the first 48 hours. Patients were divided into three groups based on tertiles of Sedation Index. The primary outcome was mortality at 30, 90, and 180 days. The secondary outcomes included length of stay in the ICU and ventilator-free days. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariable Cox regression were conducted to compare factors influencing mortality.

RESULTS

This study included 394 patients. The deepest sedation group showed more severe illness, delirium, and deeper sedation at admission (p < .001). The survival curve decreased as sedation increased, even within the light sedation levels. In the deepest sedation group, 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-3.34), 90-day mortality (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.31-3.06), and 180-day mortality (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.17-2.67) increased. The length of stay in the ICU and ventilator-free days did not show statistical differences.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that early deep sedation is a modifiable factor that can potentially affect mortality. The protocol for inducing the transition into light sedation must comply with recommendations to improve clinical outcomes.

Airway misadventures in adult critical care: a concise narrative review of managing lost or compromised artificial airways

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Loss or compromise of artificial airways in critically ill adults can lead to serious adverse events, including death. In contrast to primary emergency airway management, the optimal management of such scenarios may not be well defined or appreciated.

RECENT FINDINGS

Endotracheal tube cuff leaks may compromise both oxygenation and ventilation, and supraglottic cuff position must first be recognized and distinguished from other reasons for gas leakage during positive pressure ventilation. Although definitive management involves tube exchange, if direct visualization is possible temporizing measures can often be considered. Unplanned extubation confers variable and context-specific risks depending on patient anatomy and physiological status. Because risk factors for unplanned extubation are well established, bundled interventions can be employed for mitigation. Tracheostomy tube dislodgement accounts for a substantial proportion of death and disability related to airway management in critical care settings. Consensus guidelines and algorithmic management of such scenarios are key elements of risk mitigation.

SUMMARY

Management of lost or otherwise compromised artificial airways is a key skill set for adult critical care clinicians alongside primary emergency airway management.

Management of Agitation in Dementia and Effects on Inpatient Length of Stay

Background

Agitation associated with dementia impacts delivery of medical care and is a major reason for institutionalization in dementia patients. This study examines the association of medication use and other clinical factors with patients' 'dischargeability' (i.e., amount of time until a patient is considered dischargeable from an inpatient unit).

Methods

This study was a retrospective chart review examining 200 patients with dementia and agitation, hospitalized at a Canadian acute care geriatric ward between November 2007 and November 2018. The main outcome measure was time until a patient was deemed dischargeable. Univariate linear regression analyses, followed by multiple linear regression analyses, were used.

Results

Risperidone and quetiapine were the most commonly prescribed medications, but were not associated with time until dischargeable. Olanzapine (40.9 vs. 16.2 days until dischargeable, β = 0.23, p = .001), regular benzodiazepine (32.7 vs. 16.5 days until dischargeable, β = 0.15, p = .027), and as-needed ('PRN') benzodiazepine use (31.7 vs. 15.9 days until dischargeable, β =0.19, p = .006) were independently associated with prolonging time until dischargeable.

Conclusions

Olanzapine, benzodiazepine, and PRN benzodiazepine use were associated with longer time until patients with dementia and agitation were considered ready for discharge. This raises the question as to whether the risks of these medications outweigh the benefits in a hospital setting.

Comparative Effectiveness of Midazolam, Propofol, and Dexmedetomidine in Patients With or at Risk for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study

Background: Sedatives are commonly used in patients with or at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during mechanical ventilation. To systematically compare the outcomes of sedation with midazolam, propofol, and dexmedetomidine in patients with or at risk for ARDS.

Methods: We developed a dataset of real-world data to enable the comparison of the effectiveness and safety of sedatives and the associated outcomes from the MIMIC-III database and the eICU Collaborative Research database. We performed a systematic study with six cohorts to estimate the relative risks of outcomes among patients administered different sedatives. Propensity score matching was performed to generate a balanced 1:1 matched cohort and to identify potential prognostic factors. The outcomes included hospital mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospitalization, and likelihood of being discharged home.

Results: We performed 60 calibrated analyses among all groups and outcomes with 17,410 eligible patients. Sedation with dexmedetomidine was associated with a lower in-hospital mortality rate than sedation with midazolam and propofol or sedation without dexmedetomidine (p < 0.001). When compared with no sedation, the use of midazolam, propofol or dexmedetomidine was associated with a longer ICU stay and longer hospitalization duration (p < 0.01). Patients treated with midazolam were relatively less likely to be discharged home (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Patients treated with dexmedetomidine had a reduced risk of mortality. These data suggest that dexmedetomidine may be the preferred sedative in patients with or at risk for ARDS.

Consensus for the management of analgesia, sedation and delirium in adults with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To propose agile strategies for a comprehensive approach to analgesia, sedation, delirium, early mobility and family engagement for patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome, considering the high risk of infection among health workers, the humanitarian treatment that we must provide to patients and the inclusion of patients' families, in a context lacking specific therapeutic strategies against the virus globally available to date and a potential lack of health resources.

METHODS

A nonsystematic review of the scientific evidence in the main bibliographic databases was carried out, together with national and international clinical experience and judgment. Finally, a consensus of recommendations was made among the members of the Committee for Analgesia, Sedation and Delirium of the Sociedad Argentina de Terapia Intensiva.

RESULTS

Recommendations were agreed upon, and tools were developed to ensure a comprehensive approach to analgesia, sedation, delirium, early mobility and family engagement for adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19.

DISCUSSION

Given the new order generated in intensive therapies due to the advancing COVID-19 pandemic, we propose to not leave aside the usual good practices but to adapt them to the particular context generated. Our consensus is supported by scientific evidence and national and international experience and will be an attractive consultation tool in intensive therapies.

Effects of continuous ketamine infusion on hemodynamics and mortality in critically ill children

We investigated the hemodynamic and mortality effects of continuous ketamine infusion in critically ill pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients who used continuous sedative from 2015 to 2017 for 24 hours or more were included. We compared blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, vasogenic medications, and sedation and pain scores for 12 hours before and after initiation of continuous ketamine. The mortality rates for continuous ketamine and Non-ketamine groups were compared by multivariate logistic regression. A total of 240 patients used continuous sedation, and 82 used continuous ketamine. The median infusion rate of ketamine was 8.1 mcg/kg/min, and the median duration was 6 days. Heart rates (138 vs. 135 beat/minute, P = .033) and respiratory rates (31 vs. 25 respiration/minute, P = .001) decreased, but blood pressure (99.9 vs. 101.1 mm Hg, P = .124) and vasogenic medications did not change after ketamine infusion. Continuous ketamine was not a significant risk factor for mortality (hazard ratio 1.352, confidence interval 0.458–3.996). Continous ketamine could be used in PICU without hemodynamic instability. Further studies in randomized controlled design about the effects of continuous ketamine infusion on hemodynamic changes, sedation, and mortality are required.

Factors associated with ventilator-associated events: an international multicenter prospective cohort study

A secondary analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort was performed in six intensive care units (ICU) in four European countries (France, Greece, Spain and Turkey). The main objective was to identify factors associated with ventilator-associated events (VAEs) in adults who underwent mechanical ventilation (MV) ≥ 48 h. Secondary objectives were to identify: variables influencing VAE in the subpopulation with endotracheal intubation and in those subjects who were ventilated > 7 days. Subjects who had undergone MV ≥ 48 h were included. In subjects with multiple episodes of MV, only the first one was eligible. The adult definitions for VAEs were adjusted to the 2015 update of the CDC's 2013 National Healthcare Safety Network Association. Factors associated with VAE were estimated through multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. Among 163 adults (42 tracheostomies), 76 VAEs (34.9 VAEs/1,000 ventilator-days) were documented: 9 were Ventilator-Associated Conditions (VAC) and 67 Infection-related Ventilator-Associated Complications (IVAC)-plus (9 only IVAC and 58 Possible Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia). VAEs developed after a median of 6 days (interquartile range: 4-9). VAEs were independently associated with long-acting sedative/analgesic drugs (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 4.30), selective digestive decontamination (SDD) (HR: 0.38), and surgical/trauma admission (HR: 2.30). Among 116 subjects with endotracheal tube, SDD (HR: 0.21) and surgical/trauma admission (HR: 3.11) remained associated with VAE. Among 102 subjects ventilated >7 days, only long-acting sedative/analgesic agents (HR: 8.69) remained independently associated with VAE. In summary, SDD implementation and long-acting analgesic/sedative agents restriction prescription may prevent early and late VAEs, respectively. Bundles developed to prevent VAEs should include these two interventions.

Analgesia-first sedation in critically ill adults: A U.S. pilot, randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To determine the feasibility of conducting a multicenter ICU RCT of AFS compared to either protocol-directed sedation (PDS) or both PDS and daily sedation interruption (DSI) in North America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center RCT compared AFS [fentanyl (bolus ± infusions) to reach CPOT ≤2; if RASS ≥1, CPOT ≤2 and additional fentanyl failed to reach RASS goal (-2 to 0), low-dose propofol (up to 6 h) was given] with either PDS or both PDS and DSI daily in adults mechanically ventilated (MV) ≥48 h. Relevant feasibility, safety, and clinical outcomes were defined and evaluated.

RESULTS

90 of 160 eligible patients were enrolled [AFS = 27; PDS = 28; PDS + DSI = 31]; rate = 3/month. Time from intubation to randomization was 17.5 ± 11.6 h. Study days fully adherent to the study intervention [AFS = 95%; PDS = 99%; PDS + DSI = 96%] and time spent in the first 48 h after randomization without pain (CPOT ≤2)[AFS = 82%; PDS = 78%; PDS + DSI = 77%] and at goal RASS[AFS = 88%; PDS = 83%; PDS + DSI = 95%] were high and similar. Nurse-perceived [median (IQR)] study workload (10-point VAS) was higher with AFS [4(2-6)] than PDS [1(1-3)] or PDS + DSI [2(1-5)]; p = .002). Unplanned extubation was rare (AFS = 1; PDS = 0; PDS + DSI = 1). Days [median (IQR)] free of MV in the 28d after intubation [AFS 24(23,26); PDS 24(20,26); PDS + DSI 24(21,26)] was not different (p = .62).

CONCLUSION

A multicenter RCT evaluating AFS is feasible to conduct in North America.