Remifentanil-propofol analgo-sedation shortens duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay compared to a conventional regimen: a centre randomised, cross-over, open-label study in the Netherlands.

Author(s): Rozendaal FW, Spronk PE, Snellen FF, Schoen A, van Zanten AR, Foudraine NA, Mulder PG, Bakker J, UltiSAFE investigators

Affiliation(s): Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.

Publication date & source: 2009-02, Intensive Care Med., 35(2):291-8. Epub 2008 Oct 24.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVE: Compare duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), weaning time, ICU-LOS (ICU-LOS), efficacy and safety of remifentanil-based regimen with conventional sedation and analgesia. DESIGN: Centre randomised, open-label, crossover, 'real-life' study. SETTING: 15 Dutch hospitals. PATIENTS: Adult medical and post-surgical ICU patients with anticipated short-term (2-3 days) MV. INTERVENTIONS: Patient cohorts were randomised to remifentanil-based regimen (n = 96) with propofol as required, for a maximum of 10 days, or to conventional regimens (n = 109) of propofol, midazolam or lorazepam combined with fentanyl or morphine. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcomes were weaning time, duration of MV, ICU-LOS, sedation- and analgesia levels, intensivist/ICU nurse satisfaction, adverse events, mean arterial pressure, heart rate. Median duration of ventilation (MV) was 5.1 days with conventional treatment versus 3.9 days with remifentanil (NS). The remifentanil-based regimen reduced median weaning time by 18.9 h (P = 0.0001). Median ICU-LOS was 7.9 days versus 5.9 days, respectively (NS). However, the treatment effects on duration of MV and ICU stay were time-dependent: patients were almost twice as likely to be extubated (P = 0.018) and discharged from the ICU (P = 0.05) on day 1-3. Propofol doses were reduced by 20% (P = 0.05). Remifentanil also improved sedation-agitation scores (P < 0.0001) and intensivist/ICU nurse satisfaction (P < 0.0001). All other outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with an expected short-term duration of MV, remifentanil significantly improves sedation and agitation levels and reduces weaning time. This contributes to a shorter duration of MV and ICU-LOS.