The Effect of Dexmedetomidine on Inflammatory Factors and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Septic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: Dexmedetomidine is a sedative-analgesic that is widely used in sepsis. However, its effect on septic shock remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate dexmedetomidine's effect on inflammatory biomarkers in septic shock.

Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients with inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into either the dexmedetomidine (n = 24) or morphine + midazolam group (n = 24). The primary outcome was changes in inflammatory factors, including IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, ESR, and CRP. The serum levels of inflammatory factors were measured at baseline and the end of the intervention. Secondary outcomes included the change in norepinephrine dose, vital signs, and SOFA scores.

Findings: Of the 48 subjects, 52.08% were male. After intervention, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels significantly differed between the 2 groups (p = 0.011 and p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure decreased over time, but the two groups had no significant difference (p-value > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in norepinephrine dose and SOFA score between the 2 groups (p-value > 0.05).

Implications: Sedation with dexmedetomidine can attenuate the inflammatory factors in septic shock. Also, dexmedetomidine did not worsen the hemodynamic parameters in septic shock patients.