The effect of dexmedetomidine on clinical and management outcomes in patients with septic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials
Pooled resultResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.78 95 % CI 0.56–1.11Authors' conclusion
With low certainty of evidence, DEX did not significantly impact mortality, ICU LOS, mechanical ventilation duration, vasopressor infusion duration, acute kidney injury, bradycardia, hypotension, and delirium. Still, DEX significantly increased hospital LOS.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with septic shock
- Participants
- 662 patients · 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Dexmedetomidine (DEX) vs usual care
- Outcome
- In-hospital mortality
Methodological detailsfixed-effects model
- Fixed-effects model
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.78
95 % CI 0.56–1.11
P = 0.17
DEX vs Usual care
RR 0.78 (95 % CI 0.56–1.11); P = 0.17
Further pooled results
| Outcome | MD (95 % CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU LOS | 0.07 (−0.97 to 1.12) | P = 0.89 | |
| Mechanical ventilation duration | 0.29 (−0.26 to 0.84) | P = 0.30 | |
| Vasopressor infusion duration | −0.32 (−0.79 to 0.15) | P = 0.18 | |
| Hospital LOSDEX significantly increased hospital LOS | 1.12 (0.19–2.04) | P = 0.02 | |
| −10123Difference (linear scale) |
Safety
- DEX did not significantly impact AKI, bradycardia, hypotension, and delirium
- Low certainty of evidence
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
The effect of dexmedetomidine on clinical and management outcomes in patients with septic shock: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. J Crit Care. Published 17 September 2025. doi:10.
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