Objective To investigate sedation of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam on me-chanically ventilated patients.Methods Seventy-six mechanically ventilated patients were randomly divided into midazolam group (group M)and dexmedetomidine group (group D).The loading dose and maintenancedose of midazolam was 0.06 mg/kg and 0.04-0.2 mg·kg-1 ·h-1 ,and 1 μg/kg and 0.2-0.7 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 for dexmedetomidine.The drugdose was adjusted according to Ramsay score scale.Time when Ramsay reach 2-4 score,the length of ICU stay,mechanical ventilationtime,drug adverse reactions,the levels of inflammation factors were recorded and compared between two groups.Results The length of ICU stay and arousing time in group D was significantly lower than that of group M (P <0.05).The levels of TNF-α,hs-CRP in group D were lower after 24 hr treat-ment than that of group M(P <0.05).The levels of hs-CRP in group D were lower after 48 hr treat-ment than that of group M (P <0.01).Conclusion Dexmedetomidinetreatment reduced the lengh of ICU stay and levels of inflammatory factors of mechanical ventilated patients.