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Dexmedetomidine in addition to benzodiazepine-based sedation in patients with alcohol withdrawal delirium.
- Source :
-
European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine [Eur J Emerg Med] 2013 Dec; Vol. 20 (6), pp. 425-7. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- Alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD) is often refractory to conventional medication. We report a prospective series of patients treated with α2-agonist dexmedetomidine added to conventional sedation. Eighteen patients with AWD were diagnosed by Confusion assessment method for ICU score. Treatment, complications, length of stay (LOS) in ICU and hospital were recorded. In addition, hospital and 1-year mortality were assessed. Dexmedetomidine was given for 23.9 (18.4) h [mean (SD)]. All the patients also received benzodiazepines but three patients were given haloperidole. No patient was intubated. The maximum infusion rate of dexmedetomidine was 1.5 (1.2) µg/kg/h. Time to resolution of AWD was 3.8 (1.3) days. The ICU LOS was 7.1 (2.7) days and in-hospital LOS 12.1 (4.5) days. No adverse events were observed although one patient died from acute pancreatitis. The use of dexmedetomidine in AWD seems safe but warrants further studies.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium diagnosis
Cohort Studies
Conscious Sedation methods
Critical Care methods
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Administration Schedule
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Finland
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Infusions, Intravenous
Intensive Care Units
Length of Stay
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Severity of Illness Index
Treatment Outcome
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium drug therapy
Benzodiazepines administration & dosage
Dexmedetomidine administration & dosage
Hypnotics and Sedatives administration & dosage
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1473-5695
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23247391
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1097/MEJ.0b013e32835c53b3