Comparison of Standard-Dose Versus High-Dose Dexmedetomidine in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

Background Dexmedetomidine is commonly used to achieve light sedation in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) despite minimal evidence. In vivo studies have shown dexmedetomidine sequestration in ECMO circuits, and higher doses may be used to overcome sequestration. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine at standard versus high doses in ECMO Methods A retrospective analysis of adult ECMO patients was performed. Patients were compared as receiving either standard-dose (≤1.5 µg/kg/h) or high-dose (>1.5 µg/kg/h) dexmedetomidine. Safety outcomes included new onset bradycardia or hypotension. Efficacy was compared by the addition of concomitant sedative and analgesic agents. Results One hundred five patients were evaluated, with 20% of patients in the high-dose group. Comparing standard and high dosing, no significant differences were seen in primary safety outcomes including bradycardia (49% vs 38%, P = 0.46), hypotension (79% vs 71%, P = 0.56), or addition of vasopressors (75% vs 71%, P = 0.78). Need for concomitant analgesic agents and propofol was similar between groups. Conclusion and Relevance This represents the first evaluation of use of high-dose dexmedetomidine in ECMO. Rates of dexmedetomidine higher than 1.5 µg/kg/h were commonly used in patients on ECMO, with similar rates of adverse effects and need for concomitant propofol and analgesic agents. While high-dose dexmedetomidine may be as safe as standard dose, no additional efficacy was found.

The Pharmacological Class Alpha 2 Agonists for Stress Control in Patients with Respiratory Failure: The Main Actor in the Different Acts

“…Results regarding other covariates remain inconclusive and warrant further research on prolonged dexmedetomidine use in continuous infusion and predictable pharmacokinetics [9]. When ECMO is required in severe ARDS, there is no evidence that increasing the dose of dexmedetomidine (>1.5 mcg/kg/h) when calculating the circuit sequestration is safer and more effective [10].…”