The effects of sedative agents used in intensive care unit on haemodynaemia and oxygen transport

Purpose: Sedation is a part of the therapy which is applied in intensive care units. We investigated the effects of propofol, midazolam and remifentanil on haemodynaemia and oxygen transport Material-Methods: Forty-five patients dependent on ventilators in the intensive care unit were included in our study and were separated randomly into 3 groups. Sedation levels were adjusted to 3 to 4 according to Ramsey sedation score, with the continual administration of an infusion of remifentanil 0.05 ?g/kg/min (±0.01), propofol 35 ?g/kg/min (±7) and midazolam 1 ?g/kg/min (±0.2). Following the ECG and intraarterial monitoring, a pulmonary artery catheter was inserted. CVP, PAP, PCWP, CO, SvO2, PaO2, SaO2 and Hb levels were measured, and CI, SVR, PVR, DO2, VO2 and O2ER were calculated by the thermodilution method(1st measurement). When the doses reached expected sedation levels, measurements were repeated (2nd measurement). Results: It was found that following sedation, MAP, HR, PAP, DO2 and VO2 parameters decreased in all 3 groups compared to the control values (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences among the groups (p>0.05). CO and CI values were significantly decreased in the remifentanil and propofol groups compared to control values (p<0.05), but in the midazolam Group, it was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The heamodynamic effects of remifentanil, propofol and midazolam are not different when used in intensive care unit for sedation.