Management of Sedation and Paralysis

Sedatives are administered to decrease patient discomfort and agitation during mechanical ventilation and to maintain patient-ventilator synchrony. Titration of infusions and or bolus dosing to maintain light sedation goals according to validated scales is recommended. However, it is important to consider deeper sedation for patients with refractory patient-ventilator dyssynchrony (PVD) to prevent volutrauma and barotrauma. Deep sedation plus muscle relaxants may be required to treat PVD or to reduce oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Although minimization and protocolization of sedation in the intensive care unit improves costs and outcomes, it is important to consider goals on an individual basis.