Dexmedetomidine and sleep quality in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients: study protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Sleep deprivation, which is a common complication in the intensive care unit (ICU), is associated with delirium and increased mortality. Sedation with gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists (propofol, benzodiazepine) results in significant disturbance of the sleep architecture. Dexmedetomidine is a lipophilic imidazole with an affinity for α-adrenoceptors and it has sedative and analgesic properties.