TOPLINE:
Administration of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing cardiac surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium by 38% but was associated with an increased risk for hypotension.
METHODOLOGY:
- Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 3904 patients undergoing any type of cardiac surgery.
- They compared the use of dexmedetomidine with the use of propofol or normal saline as a control in patients in the intensive care unit, with administration either intraoperatively or postoperatively.
- The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium, assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method scale or other scales, in an intention-to-treat analysis.
- The secondary outcomes included the duration of…