Dexmedetomidine vs. Propofol for Sedation During Mechanical Ventilation

Patricia Kritek, MD   Key clinical outcomes were similar with either drug.   Current best practice in the intensive care unit (ICU) is to use the least medication necessary to keep patients alert, interactive, and comfortable while they receive mechanical ventilation. Compared with propofol and benzodiazepines, dexmedetomidine has been associated with less delirium and... Read more..

No Benefit to Targeting a Lower Partial Pressure of Oxygen

Patricia Kritek, MD   A lower oxygenation target didn't prevent mortality or adverse events in patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure.   Oxygen is a life-saving intervention for patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. However, might too much oxygen be harmful? Although small studies have suggested a benefit for lower oxygenation targets, a conservative oxygen strategy... Read more..