Dexmedetomidine for Sedation in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Delirium

Dexmedetomidine for Sedation in Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation is Associated With a Lower Incidence of Delirium : A Retrospective Study

This retrospective cohort study will include 412 adults mechanically ventilated >24 hours in intensive care unit in sohag university hospital between 2024 and 2026). Participants will be assigned to either, EGDS group ( equal to 208 ) or conventional sedation group (equal to 204 ). The main endpoint will be measured is the incidence of delirium in ICU , measured by the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). Secondary endpoints will be the number of the days free from ventilation at 28 days (VFDs), ICU length of stay (LOS) in the ICU, and the death during hospitalization.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Consecutive adult patients aged 18 years or older who required invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological primary admission such as stroke or traumatic brain injury.
• Active seizures or alcohol withdrawal at admission.
• Prior dementia or severe cognitive impairment.
• Mechanical ventilation <24 hours.
• Death within 48 hours of admission.
• Missing essential sedation or delirium data.