COMPARISON OF SEDATIVE EFFECT OF PROPOFOL VERSUS DEXMEDETOMIDINE ON MEAN ARTERIAL PRESSURE AND HEART RATE IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Sedation is essential in mechanically ventilated patients. Propofol, though commonly used, may affect MAP and HR, while dexmedetomidine offers more stable hemodynamics. Due to conflicting evidence, this study compared their effects in ICU patients at a tertiary care hospital.   

Objective: To compare mean arterial pressure and heart rate between propofol versus dexmedetomidine in mechanically ventilated patients at a tertiary care hospital.

Duration: Six months w.e.f. 08-10-2024 to 07-04-2025.

Methodology: Following approval from ethical review committee, 60 postoperative ICU patients at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, were enrolled after informed consent and randomly assigned into two groups using the lottery method: Group A (Dexmedetomidine, n=30) and Group B (Propofol, n=30). Sedation began when patients were arousable, using continuous infusion for 24 hours, administered by the same staff. Data were recorded consistently to minimize bias and ensure accurate comparisons.

Results: This study involved 60 patients with comparable baseline characteristics. Dexmedetomidine consistently resulted in higher mean arterial pressure and lower heart rate compared to propofol at various time intervals. While differences were statistically significant, subgroup analyses lacked consistent significance due to the limited sample size.

Conclusion: This study concluded that dexmedetomidine provided better hemodynamic stability than propofol in mechanically ventilated patients, as it consistently showed higher mean arterial pressure and lower heart rate at multiple time intervals following sedation, compared to the propofol group.