Analgesia and Sedation in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit

Ensuring patient comfort through delivery of adequate analgesiaAnalgesia and sedationSedation is paramount to administer proper critical care. AnalgesiaAnalgesia is provided using combination of acetaminophen (paracetamol), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or opioid analogues. SedationSedation is commonly delivered using alpha-2-agonists, benzodiazepines, and opioids; alternative sedationSedation adjuvants may be required. The depth of sedationSedation is determined by the physiologic and treatment needs of the patient and must be balanced against the side effect profile experienced with higher doses. The effectiveness of analgesiaAnalgesia and sedationSedation are monitored regularly using validated age-specific scoring systems. Slow, protocolized weaning of sedationSedation is required after prolonged exposure to minimize risk of withdrawalWithdrawal, which is assessed by withdrawalWithdrawal scores. DeliriumDelirium often complicates the delivery and/or weaning of sedationSedation and can be managed conservatively or with antipsychotic medications if clinically significant.