Impact of Sedation on Cognitive Function in Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

The practice of sedation dosing strategy in mechanically ventilated patient has a profound effect on cognitive function. We conducted a comprehensive review of outcome of sedation on mental health function in critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). We specifically evaluated current sedative dosing strategy and the development of delirium, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) and agitation. Based on this review, heavy dosing sedation strategy with benzodiazepines contributes to cognitive dysfunction. However, outcome for mental health dysfunction is mixed in regard to newer sedatives agents such as dexmedetomidine and propofol. Moreover, studies that examine the impact of sedatives for persistence of PTSD/delirium and its long-term cognitive and functional outcomes for post-ICU patients are frequently underpowered. Most studies suffer from low sample sizes and methodological variations. Therefore, larger randomized controlled trials are needed to properly assess the impact of sedation dosing strategy on cognitive function.

The Impact of High Versus Low Sedation Dosing Strategy on Cognitive Dysfunction in Survivors of Intensive Care Units: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The practice of low vs. high sedation dosing strategy may impact the cognitive and mental health function in the intensive care unit (ICU). We aim to demonstrate that high sedation strategy will result in change of mental health function in ICU patients. METHODS: We performed a systemic search and meta-analysis of medical databases in MEDLINE (from 1966 to March 2013) and EMBASE (from 1980 to March 2013), as well as the Cochrane Library using the MESH terms "Intensive Care Unit," and "Mental Health, for assessing the impact of sedation on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety/depression and delirium in the mix ICU setting including cardiac surgery patients. A total of 1216 patients were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: We included 11 studies in the final analysis and concluded that high dose sedation strategy resulted in higher incidence of cognitive dysfunction with P value of 0.009. The result for subgroup of delirium showed P = 0.11 and PTSD/depression or anxiety of P = 0.001, Heterogeneity I2 was 64%. Overall analysis was statistically significant with a P value of 0.002. CONCLUSION: High sedation dosing strategy will negatively affect cognitive function in critically ill patients. Large randomized trials are needed to address cognitive dysfunction in subgroup of patients with delirium.

THE IMPACT OF ENDOTRACHEAL TUBE VS. LARYNGEAL MASK AIRWAY ON THE INCIDENCE OF POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING: A SYSTEMIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of Endotracheal tube (ETT) vs. Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia. METHODS: Key words searching from databases such as Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library provided 14 studies focusing on the use of EET vs. LMA for general anesthesia. Pooled estimate of relative risk with 95% confidence interval using random effect model was conducted. RESULTS: 14 studies were selected for meta-analysis with a total of 1866 patients. 9 studies focused on the outcome of PONV in adult patients. It showed incidence of PONV with of LMA and ETT in adult of about 204/690 (30%) and 145/725 (20%) respectively with [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.69, 95% CI, 0.76-3.75, P = 0.20]. Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 87%). Five studies focused on the outcome of PONV in pediatric patients with PONV in LMA and ETT group of 85/229 (37%) and 72/222 (32%) respectively with (OR = 1.30, 95% CI, 0.61-2.76, P = 0.50). Heterogeneity was moderate at (I2 = 53%). When all patients were combined heterogeneity was high at 81% with OR = 1.56, 95% CI, 0.87-2.79, P = 0.14. CONCLUSION: Risk of PONV shows an increase trend toward the use of LMA. Larger randomized trials are needed to assess the impact of airway devices on PONV.