Comparison of Standard-Dose Versus High-Dose Dexmedetomidine in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

Background: Dexmedetomidine is commonly used to achieve light sedation in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) despite minimal evidence. In vivo studies have shown dexmedetomidine sequestration in ECMO circuits, and higher doses may be used to overcome sequestration.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine at standard versus high doses in ECMO.