ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Volatile sedation in critically ill adults undergoing mechanical ventilation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pooled result · Mortality at the longest follow-upResult — go to the resultRelative risk 1.17 95% CI 1.02–1.35Authors' conclusion
This meta-analysis of RCTs showed that, compared to intravenous sedation, volatile sedation may increase mortality among mechanically ventilated critically ill adults.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill adults undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation
- Participants
- 2,367 adults · 21 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Volatile vs intravenous sedation
- Volatile sedationn = 1,107
- Intravenous sedationn = 1,106reference
- Outcome
- Mortality at the longest follow-up
- Follow-up
- Longest
Methodological detailsrandom-effects Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis, trial sequential analysis
- Random-effects Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis
- Trial sequential analysis
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
1.17
95% CI 1.02–1.35
Events by group
Volatile sedation
262
events
Intravenous sedation
218
events
Volatile sedation vs Intravenous sedation
RR 1.17 (95% CI 1.02–1.35)
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Mean difference (min) (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Time from sedation termination to extubationLow certainty | - 90.62 (- 124.64 to - 56.60) |
Other secondary outcomes (duration of mechanical ventilation, hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) LOS, hypotension, AKI, delirium, PONV, AF)
- No meaningful effects observed
Original publication
Volatile sedation in critically ill adults undergoing mechanical ventilation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Care. Published 5 June 2025. doi:10.
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