[Evaluate the clonidine use for sedoanalgesia in intensive care unit patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation]

The control of patient discomfort in the intensive care unit (ICU) has become an integral part of critical care practice. The sedoanalgesic drugs could influence critically ill patient's morbimortality. Alpha²-adrenoceptor agonists might have an interesting future in ICU. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clonidine use for sedoanalgesia in ICU patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Historical cohort study. Admitted patient files, January-December 2006, which stayed under mechanical ventilation, analgesia and sedation > 7days were analyzed. Demographic, clinical features and therapeutic data concerning analgesia and sedation were remarked. The data allowed classify the patients in three different groups: G1 = patients that used clonidine and other drugs; G2 = patients that used three or more drugs, without clonidine and G3 = patients that used fentanyl and midazolam. The mean daily doses of infused clonidine were registered, and the values of heat rate (HR), blood arterial pressure (BAP) before starting use of clonidine, after six hours and 24 hours were also registered. Statistical analyzes were performed using Variance Analysis (ANOVA), t tests and x² (significance p < 0.05).

Were selected 55 patients. Fifteen (27.2%) belonged to G1, 11 (20%) belonged to G2 and 29 (52.7%) belonged to G3. The mean age of patients was 44 (G1), 50 (G2) and 56 (G3) (p = NS). The mean score APACHE II was 18 (G1), 20.4 (G2) and 20.7 (G3) (p = NS). G1 and G2 patients presented higher ICU length-of-stay (p < 0.05). The mean dose of clonidine used was 1.21 ± 0.54 mg/kg/min. G1 patients had HR and BAP decreased, however these effects were not considered clinically relevant. The mortality was lower in the patients from G1 (20%) when compared to G2 (54.5%) and G3 (62%) (p < 0.05).

The clonidine use to analyzed patients did not result in clinical relevant side effects. The lower mortality index in patients that used clonidine was statistical significant.