Sedation Vacations in Neurocritical Care: Friend or Foe?

• Published in: Current neurology and neuroscience reports 2024-12, Vol.24 (12), p.671-680
• Main Authors: Reyes-Bello, Juan Sebastián, Moscote-Salazar, Luis Rafael, Janjua, Tariq
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Clinical outcomes; Critical Care - methods; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - administration & dosage; Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use; Intensive Care Units; Mechanical properties; Mechanical ventilation; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Nervous System Diseases - therapy; Neurological complications; Neurology; Neurosciences; Respiration, Artificial - methods; Review; Topical Collection on Critical Care; Vacations; Ventilators
• ISSN: 1528-4042; 1534-6293; 1534-6293
• DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01383-6

Purpose of Review To evaluate the role of sedation vacations in optimizing patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of care in neurological intensive care units (ICUs). We discuss the importance of sedation management in neurocritical care, considering recent research findings and clinical guidelines. Recent Findings Recent studies have highlighted the significance of sedation interruption protocols in improving patient outcomes in the ICU setting. Evidence suggests that daily sedation interruptions can reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and mortality rates. However, the implementation of these protocols requires careful consideration of patient-specific factors and a multidisciplinary approach. Summary Sedation vacations play a critical role in neurocritical care by reducing mechanical ventilation duration, ICU stay length, and mortality rates. Despite the benefits, the presence of complications must be addressed to avoid adverse outcomes. Continued research is necessary to refine these strategies and improve guideline quality, ensuring safe and effective sedation management in critically ill neurological patients.