Dexmedetomidine for Prolonged Sedation in the PICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: We aimed to systematically describe the use of dexmedetomidine as a treatment regimen for prolonged sedation in children and perform a meta-analysis of its safety profile.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CINAHL were searched from inception to November 30, 2018.

Study Selection: We included studies involving hospitalized critically ill patients less than or equal to 18 years old receiving dexmedetomidine for prolonged infusion (≥ 24 hr).

Data Extraction: Data extraction included study characteristics, patient demographics, modality of dexmedetomidine use, associated analgesia and sedation details, comfort and withdrawal evaluation scales, withdrawal symptoms, and side effects.

Data Synthesis: Literature search identified 32 studies, including a total of 3,267 patients. Most of the studies were monocentric (91%) and retrospective (88%); one was a randomized trial. Minimum and maximum infusion dosages varied from 0.1-0.5 µg/kg/hr to 0.3-2.5 µg/kg/hr, respectively. The mean/median duration range was 25-540 hours. The use of a loading bolus was reported in eight studies (25%) (range, 0.5-1 µg/kg), the mode of weaning in 11 (34%), and the weaning time in six of 11 (55%; range, 9-96 hr). The pooled prevalence of bradycardia was 2.6% (n = 10 studies; 14/387 patients; 95% CI, 0.3-7.3; I = 75%), the pooled prevalence incidence of bradycardia was 2.6% (n = 10 studies; 14/387 patients; 95% CI, 0.3-7.3; I = 75%), the pooled incidence of hypotension was 6.1% (n = 8 studies; 19/304 patients; 95% CI, 0.8-15.9; I = 84%). Three studies (9%) reported side effects' onset time which in all cases was within 12 hours of the infusion starting.

Conclusions: High-quality data on dexmedetomidine use for prolonged sedation and a consensus on correct dosing and weaning protocols in children are currently missing. Infusion of dexmedetomidine can be considered relatively safe in pediatrics even when longer than 24 hours.