A target trial emulation of dexmedetomidine to treat agitation in the intensive care unit.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Agitation is a major problem in the intensive care unit. However, no treatment has clearly emerged as effective and safe. Using target trial emulation, we aimed to test the hypothesis that early intervention with dexmedetomidine would accelerate agitation resolution.

Methods

We read clinical notes in an electronic medical records system with natural language processing to identify patients with agitation. We obtained their demographics, trajectories, associations, and outcomes. We used g-formulas to study the possible effects of dexmedetomidine on agitation resolution and key outcomes.

Results

We screened 7525 patients. Overall, 2242 patients (29.8%) developed within-intensive care unit agitation, and 2052 (27.3%) were eligible for inclusion in the target tr

SUBMITTER: Serpa Neto A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11991816 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature