Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Using Precedex and Other Sedatives

Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Using Precedex and Other Sedatives

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using dexmedetomidine (Precedex) in addition to the current standard-of-care for sedation.

Primarily, this study seeks to explore whether there is a difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) variability, incidence of intracranial hypertension, intracranial pressure (ICP) variability, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and Cerebrovascular pressure reactivity index (PRx) in two groups of subjects.

Patients must be submitted to the ICU and be endotracheally intubated and receiving mechanical ventilation with continuous IV sedation for less than 24 hours after recruitment into the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Admitted to Duke University Neuro Critical Care Unit (NCCU)
• Adult (18 years of age or older)
• Expected Mechanical Ventilation for >48 hours with sedation
• Intraventricular catheter in situ

Exclusion Criteria:

• Hypersensitivity to study drugs
• Prisoners
• Moribund state or death expected within 24 hours
• Surgery planned within 24 hours of subject enrollment
• Receiving study drug, Precedex, prior to entering study