Pharmacy to Dose: The Critical Care Podcast cover image

Pharmacy to Dose: The Critical Care Podcast

Trial of the Week: DESIRE & In-Flight Medical Emergencies

May 14, 2024
In this discussion, Jim Miller, a PharmD specializing in critical care, dives into the DESIRE trial, revealing dexmedetomidine's pharmacokinetic advantages and its role in sedation for sepsis patients. He tackles the complexities of changing primary outcomes mid-study and shares insights from his novel research. Meanwhile, Michael Liu, a PharmD with dual board certifications, recounts a gripping in-flight medical emergency he handled, highlighting the unique challenges faced outside a hospital and offering invaluable advice for healthcare professionals in crisis situations.
55:14

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The DESIRE trial revealed that dexmedetomidine did not significantly improve mortality or ventilator-free days in mechanically ventilated sepsis patients compared to standard sedation protocols.
  • The pharmacist's experience during an in-flight medical emergency highlighted the importance of healthcare professionals being prepared to act decisively and effectively in unexpected situations.

Deep dives

Exploring the DESIRE Trial

The DESIRE trial examines the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine in patients with sepsis requiring mechanical ventilation. It focused on two primary outcomes: 28-day mortality and the number of ventilator-free days. Published in JAMA, the trial involved a multi-center design across eight ICUs in Japan, enrolling adult patients diagnosed with sepsis who were expected to require ventilation for at least 24 hours. Despite previous studies indicating potential benefits of dexmedetomidine, the trial revealed no significant differences in mortality or ventilator-free days when compared to standard sedation protocols.

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