Sedation of the agitated, critically ill patient without an artificial airway

One of the most demanding and stressful situations is management of the agitated, unintubated, critically ill patient. Sedation often must be provided without a specific diagnosis, and the need for rapid airway control must be anticipated. No predictably safe and effective techniques are proven. The experience and skill of the physician managing the patient during sedation are the predictive factors for the best outcome. Even in expert hands, airway compromise and cardiovascular decompensation often occur in these very ill patients. Many techniques for sedation have been described. Treatment of pain followed by small boluses of intravenous sedative agents is a reasonable initial approach. Benzodiazepines have a good safety record and provide good amnesia. Other agents have been used, by themselves or in combination. Haloperidol may have a therapeutic advantage in the disoriented, agitated patient. Prolonged need for significant sedative medication usually mandates a secure airway. Once this is accomplished, the requirement for a continuously present airway expert at the bedside is removed. The standard for sedating a patient without an artificial airway requires a higher level of expertise than sedating a critically ill patient with an artificial airway.