Effect of dexmedetomidine on death and duration of mechanical ventilation in sepsis patients under lighter sedation randomized controlled trial - Dexmedetomidine for sepsis in ICU Randomized Evaluation trial(DESIRE trial)

Question Does a sedation strategy with dexmedetomidine compared with no dexmedetomidine improve ventilator-free days and mortality among patients with sepsis requiring ventilation? Findings In this randomized clinical trial that included 201 adults, treatment with dexmedetomidine compared with treatment without dexmedetomidine did not significantly improve ventilator-free days (20 days vs 18 days) or 28-day mortality (23% vs 31%; hazard ratio, 0.69). Meaning Treatment with dexmedetomidine in patients with sepsis did not improve either ventilator-free days or 28-day mortality.