Does deep sedation increase mortality and lengths of stay in mechanically ventilated patients?
Deep sedation in mechanically ventilated patients is associated with worse outcomes, including increased mortality and longer lengths of stay.
Deep sedation in mechanically ventilated patients, as evaluated in a small number of qualifying heterogeneous randomized controlled trials and observational studies, was associated with increased mortality and lengths of stay. Interventions targeting early sedation depth assessment, starting in the emergency department and subsequent ICU admission, deserve further investigation and could improve outcome.
Stephens et al. (Sat,) studied this question.