Dexmedetomidine Versus Propofol for Prolonged Sedation in Critically Ill Trauma and Surgical Patients

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients were included in the study if they were 18 years of age or older, * mechanically ventilated, * placed on the institutional sedation protocol, * expected to require sedation lasting 24 hours after randomization, and * admitted to the TSICU and followed by the Trauma/Surgical Service. Exclusion Criteria: Patients were excluded for any of the following: * 72 hours or greater since sedation protocol initiation, * treatment per the institutional traumatic brain injury (TBI) protocol, * concomitant continuous infusion of a neuromuscular blocking agent, * heart rate less than 50 beats per minute, * mean arterial pressure less than 55 mmHg despite fluid resuscitation and vasopressors, and * use of other alpha-2 agonists within 24 hours of randomization.