Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Propofol on Hemodynamic Stability and Ventilation Time in Patients Suffering COVID-19 Admitting to Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Background: The introduction of novel analgesics such as dexmedetomidine could pave the way for patient relaxation as well as hemodynamic stability more successfully. Such successful achievement can be very essential in critically ill patients suffering acute life-threatening events. We examined the ability of dexmedetomidine in stabilizing hemodynamic parameters as well as shortening ventilation time in critically ill patients suffering COVID-19 disease admitting to ICUs.

Methods: The present randomized double-blinded controlled trial was conducted on 46 consecutive adults aged 35 to 50 years suffering COVID-19 and admitted to ICU at a referral hospital in Iran for COVID-19 patients. All included patients were mechanically ventilated with the similar protocol and were randomly assigned into two groups receiving dexmedetomidine (0.8 μg/kg/h) as the intervention group and propofol (1.5 mg/ kg/h) as the control group.

Results: Comparing the changes in vital signs within 12 hours of study interventions showed the decrease in heart rate and mean arterial pressure along with increase in arterial oxygen saturation in both groups, however the trend of the change in heart rate and mean arterial pressure was significantly different across the two groups as more stability of such vital parameters in dexmedetomidine group. The time for mechanical ventilation for dexmedetomidine and propofol groups was 29.12±4.87 hours and 33.20±4.22 hour respectively indicating shorter time for ventilation required in dexmedetomidine group (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: The use of dexmedetomidine as compared to propofol leads to more hemodynamic stability as well as shorter ventilation time.