Effect of Sedation With Dexmedetomidine vs Lorazepam on Acute Brain Dysfunction in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

4][5][6] Because delirium is an independent risk factor for prolonged length of stay, greater neuropsychological dysfunction, and increased mortality, 7-10 efforts must be made to reduce this manifestation of organ dysfunction within the context of providing adequate sedation for patients.Lorazepam is currently recommended by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in its clinical prac-tice guidelines 1 for the sustained sedation of mechanically ventilated ICU patients.Although recent trials have shown that protocols with patient-targeted se-