The Use of Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine in Intensive Care Sedation

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-80 years old * Admitted to Intensive care unit at LAUMCRH * Need for sedation for at least 24 hours * Informed Consent Form signed by patient or surrogate Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant patients * At risk of increased intracranial pressure * Aortic dissection * Acute coronary syndrome * Hypertension (SBP \> 180 mmHg) * Chronic alcoholism * Acute alcohol intoxication * Alcohol withdrawal * Refractory status epilepticus * History of psychiatric disorder * Known allergy or contraindication to use of dexmedetomidine or ketamine * Baseline hypotension (MAP\<65 mmHg) * Baseline bradycardia (HR\<48 bpm) * Patients receiving neuromuscular blocking agents * Patients requiring deep sedation as determined by the ICU attending