Dexmedetomidine is superior to midazolam for sedation and cerebral protection in postoperative hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage patients: a retrospective study

Objective Dexmedetomidine has a good sedative effect and does not affect the judgment of the patient's consciousness level. However, its effectiveness for sedation and cerebral protection after craniotomy in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) patients is unknown. Methods A retrospective study of 164 postoperative HICH patients who underwent sedation with dexmedetomidine or midazolam was conducted. The Ramsay sedation score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ), and respiratory rate were measured at the indicated time points. Human soluble protein-100β (S-100β) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were also compared between the two groups. Results Dexmedetomidine treatment showed a significantly better effect than midazolam on decreasing the frequency of apparent agitation. The MAP and HR, but not the SpO 2, were significantly decreased and lower than those in midazolam group. Detection of plasma S-100β and NSE proteins revealed a significant decrease in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the midazolam group. The 6-month follow-up evaluation indicated a significantly better prognosis of postoperative HICH patients treated with dexmedetomidine than for those treated with midazolam. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine is effective for sedation in postoperative HICH patients and may be beneficial for their outcome.