Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: The optimum provision of pharmacological sedation of the critically ill neurological patient requires defining the underlying etiology of agitation or need for sedation to determine the optimal agent: pain management, anxiolysis, or treatment of delirium. An appropriate regimen can then be decided upon based on the profiles of action of the several common classes of sedative agents. Methods to both evaluate the efficacy of sedation as well as titration to a predefined clinical goal are important tools toward safe administration of drugs that often have serious adverse effects. Recognition of an individualized approach is also necessary as patients will vary considerably with respect to the kinetics and pharmacodynamics of sedative therapy. The drug classes often selected for sedation in an intensive care unit will be reviewed as well as the metrics by which physicians can achieve their objectives in a safe manner.
Source: Seminars in Neurology
Authors: Marek Mirski, John Lewin
Language: English
Subfield: Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2035877975