What is the Delirium Bibliography? The searchable Delirium Bibliography page is one of our most popular features, allowing you to quickly gain access to the literature on delirium and acute care of older persons. It is primarily intended for clinicians and researchers interested in exploring these topics. The NIDUS team keeps it updated for you on a monthly basis!
How to Search for Articles: Search by author, title, year, and/or keywords. Each article is indexed by keywords taken from MEDLINE and other relevant databases. Click on the title of the article to read the abstract, journal, etc.
Reference Information
- Title
- Alpha2 Agonist Use in Critically Ill Adults: A Focus on Sedation and Withdrawal Prevention
- Authors
- Schuler, A. Yoon, C. H. Caffarini, E. Heine, A. Meester, A. Murray, D. Harding, A.
- Year
- 2025
- Journal
- J Pharm Pract
- Abstract
The management of sedation in critically ill adults poses a unique challenge to clinicians. Dexmedetomidine, an α(2) agonist, has a unique mechanism and favorable pharmacokinetics, making it an attractive intravenous option for sedation and delirium in the intensive care unit. However, patients may be at risk for withdrawal with prolonged use, adding to the complexity of sedation and agitation management in this patient population. Enteral α(2) agents have the benefit of cost savings and ease of administration, thus playing a role in the ability to decrease intravenous sedative use and prevent dexmedetomidine withdrawal. Clonidine and guanfacine are the two most common enteral α(2) agents utilized for this purpose, however, there is a paucity of evidence regarding the comparative benefit between the two agents. The decision to use one vs the other agent should be determined based on their differing pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and side effect profile. The most effective dosing strategy for these agents is also unknown. Ultimately, more robust literature is required to determine enteral α(2) agonists place in therapy. This narrative review evaluates the currently available literature on the use of α(2) agonists in critically ill adults with an emphasis on sedation, delirium, and withdrawal.
- PMID
PMID: 38907529
- Keywords
Humans *Critical Illness *Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists/administration & dosage/therapeutic use *Hypnotics and Sedatives/administration & dosage/pharmacokinetics *Dexmedetomidine/administration & dosage/therapeutic use *Substance Withdrawal Syndrome/drug therapy/prevention & control Clonidine/administration & dosage/therapeutic use Adult Delirium/prevention & control/drug therapy Guanfacine/administration & dosage/therapeutic use clonidine dexmedetomidine guanfacine sedation withdrawal
- Page(s)
- Volume
- Issue
| Title | Authors | Journal | Year | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D levels and risk of delirium: A mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank. | Bowman, K. Jones, L. Pilling, L. C. Delgado, J. Kuchel, G. A. Ferrucci, L. Fortinsky, R. H. Melzer, D. | Neurology | 2019 | |
| Single-bed rooms in a geriatric ward prevent delirium in older patients. | Blandfort, S. Gregersen, M. Rahbek, K. Juul, S. Damsgaard, E. M. | Aging Clin Exp Res | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Drug Prescription and Delirium in Older Inpatients: Results From the Nationwide Multicenter Italian Delirium Day 2015-2016. | Aloisi, G. Marengoni, A. Morandi, A. Zucchelli, A. Cherubini, A. Mossello, E. Bo, M. Di Santo, S. G. Mazzone, A. Trabucchi, M. Cappa, S. Fimognari, F. L. Incalzi, R. A. Gareri, P. Perticone, F. Campanini, M. Montorsi, M. Latronico, N. Zambon, A. Bellelli, | J Clin Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Patient Safety Incidents Describing Patient Falls in Critical Care in North West England Between 2009 and 2017. | Thomas, A. N. Balmforth, J. E. | J Patient Saf | 2019 | |
| Have you SCAND MMe Please? A framework to prevent harm during acute hospitalisation of older persons: A retrospective audit. | Redley, B. Baker, T. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
acute disease |
| Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion to Decrease Postoperative Delirium for Spinal Fusion Patients. | Plyler, S. S. Muckler, V. C. Titch, J. F. Gupta, D. K. Rice, A. N. | J Perianesth Nurs | 2019 |
3d-cam |
| Nurses' experiences of caring for older patients afflicted by delirium in a neurological department. | Kristiansen, S. Konradsen, H. Beck, M. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
adult |
| Association of Delirium Response and Safety of Pharmacological Interventions for the Management and Prevention of Delirium: A Network Meta-analysis. | Wu, Y. C. Tseng, P. T. Tu, Y. K. Hsu, C. Y. Liang, C. S. Yeh, T. C. Chen, T. Y. Chu, C. S. Matsuoka, Y. J. Stubbs, B. Carvalho, A. F. Wada, S. Lin, P. Y. Chen, Y. W. Su, K. P. | JAMA Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Effect of electroencephalography-guided anesthetic administration on postoperative delirium among older adults undergoing major surgery the engages randomized clinical trial. | Wildes, T. S. Mickle, A. M. Abdallah, A. B. Maybrier, H. R. Oberhaus, J. Budelier, T. P. Kronzer, A. McKinnon, S. L. Park, D. Torres, B. A. Graetz, T. J. Emmert, D. A. Palanca, B. J. Goswami, S. Jordan, K. Lin, N. Fritz, B. A. Stevens, T. W. Jacobsohn, E. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02241655 |
| Perioperative Epidural Use and Risk of Delirium in Surgical Patients: A Secondary Analysis of the PODCAST Trial. | Vlisides, P. E. Thompson, A. Kunkler, B. S. Maybrier, H. R. Avidan, M. S. Mashour, G. A. | Anesth Analg | 2019 | |
| Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen vs Placebo Combined with Propofol or Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Delirium among Older Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: The DEXACET Randomized Clinical Trial. | Subramaniam, B. Shankar, P. Shaefi, S. Mueller, A. O'Gara, B. Banner-Goodspeed, V. Gallagher, J. Gasangwa, D. Patxot, M. Packiasabapathy, S. Mathur, P. Eikermann, M. Talmor, D. Marcantonio, E. R. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02546765 |
| The use of a screening scale improves the recognition of delirium in older patients after cardiac surgery - a retrospective observational study. | Smulter, N. Claesson Lingehall, H. Gustafson, Y. Olofsson, B. Engstrom, K. G. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Assessments scales |
| Incidence and predictors of postoperative delirium in the older acute care surgery population: a prospective study. | Saravana-Bawan, B. Warkentin, L. M. Rucker, D. Carr, F. Churchill, T. A. Khadaroo, R. G. | Canadian Journal of Surgery | 2019 |
aged |
| Association of Duration of Surgery With Postoperative Delirium Among Patients Receiving Hip Fracture Repair. | Ravi, B. Pincus, D. Choi, S. Jenkinson, R. Wasserstein, D. N. Redelmeier, D. A. | JAMA Netw Open | 2019 | |
| Depression Predicts Delirium After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Independent of Cognitive Impairment and Cerebrovascular Disease: An Analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Outcomes After Heart Surgery Study. | Oldham, M. A. Hawkins, K. A. Lin, I. H. Deng, Y. Hao, Q. Scoutt, L. M. Yuh, D. D. Lee, H. B. | American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry | 2019 |
aged |
| Accuracy of the Delirium Observational Screening Scale (DOS) as a screening tool for delirium in patients with advanced cancer. | Neefjes, E. C. W. van der Vorst, Mjdl Boddaert, M. S. A. Verdegaal, Batt Beeker, A. Teunissen, S. C. C. Beekman, A. T. F. Zuurmond, W. W. A. Berkhof, J. Verheul, H. M. W. | BMC Cancer | 2019 |
Delirium |
| The impact of intravenous isotonic and hypotonic maintenance fluid on the risk of delirium in adult postoperative patients: retrospective before-after observational study. | Nagae, M. Egi, M. Furushima, N. Okada, M. Makino, S. Mizobuchi, S. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Association between delirium, adverse clinical events and functional outcomes in older patients admitted to rehabilitation settings after a hip fracture: A multicenter retrospective cohort study. | Morandi, A. Mazzone, A. Bernardini, B. Suardi, T. Prina, R. Pozzi, C. Gentile, S. Trabucchi, M. Bellelli, G. | Geriatrics & Gerontology International | 2019 |
aged |
| Handover of anesthesia care is associated with an increased risk of delirium in elderly after major noncardiac surgery: results of a secondary analysis. | Liu, G. Y. Su, X. Meng, Z. T. Cui, F. Li, H. L. Zhu, S. N. Wang, D. X. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Undiagnosed delirium is frequent and difficult to predict: Results from a prevalence survey of a tertiary hospital. | Lange, P. W. Lamanna, M. Watson, R. Maier, A. B. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Undiagnosed delirium |