Opioid requirements in mechanically ventilated trauma patients receiving dexmedetomidine versus propofol

Proponents of dexmedetomidine often cite the agent's analgesic properties as one of its main advantages over propofol and benzodiazepines. However, there are very limited studies utilizing endpoints such as analgesic requirements to provide supporting evidence for these claims. The primary purpose of this retrospective study was to compare opioid analgesic requirements in trauma patients receiving nonconcurrent dexmedetomidine and propofol for sedation while being weaned from mechanical ventilation. Total analgesic requirements were similar between dexmedetomidine and propofol within 48 hours of sedative initiation in adult trauma patients (P > .05).