Impacts of Low-Dose Dexmedetomidine on Sleep Quality in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients

Sleep disturbances frequently occur in intensive care unit (ICU) patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. In a previous study, sedative dose dexmedetomidine (median 0.6 microgram/kg/h) improved sleep quality in mechanically ventilated patients. However, for mechanically ventilated patients, light sedation is better than deep sedation for the outcomes, which is manifested as shortened length of ICU stay, shortened duration of mechanical ventilation, and decreased mortality. In a recent study of the investigators, non-sedative low-dose dexmedetomidine (0.1 microgram/kg/h) improved sleep quality in non-mechanically ventilated elderly patients admitted to the ICU after surgery. The investigators hypothesize that, in mechanically ventilated patients who are admitted to the ICU after surgery, low-dose dexmedetomidine may also improve sleep quality.