NCT06468436

Brief Summary

Patients with mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) often develop anxiety and agitation, sleep distuebances, and delirium. Delirium occurrence is associated with worse early and long-term outcomes. Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are recommended for sedation and analgesia in ICU patients, but each may induce side effects. The sedative effects of dexmedetomidine can help mitigate the psychiatric side effects of esketamine. Recent studies showed that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improved analgesia and sleep quality without increasing psychiatric side effects. This trial is designed to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for sedation and analgesia in ICU patients with mechanical ventilation may reduce delirium and improve respiratory recovery.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
1,508

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
56mo left

Started Nov 2025

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

3 active sites

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress10%
Nov 2025Dec 2030

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 15, 2024

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 21, 2024

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2025

Completed
4.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2029

Expected
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2030

Last Updated

July 31, 2025

Status Verified

July 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

4.1 years

First QC Date

June 15, 2024

Last Update Submit

July 28, 2025

Conditions

AgedIntensive Care UnitsVentilators, MechanicalDexmedetomidineEsketamineDelirium

Keywords

AgedIntensive Care UnitsVentilators, MechanicalDexmedetomidineEsketamineDelirium

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Incidence of delirium within 7 days

    Delirium is assessed twice daily with the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) or the 3-Minute Diagnostic Assessment for Delirium using the Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM) during the 7-day period after enrollment or until hospital discharge. Positive result of delirium assessments at any timepoint is defined as occurrence of delirium.

    Up to 7 days after enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Days alive without delirium or come during the 7-day period

    Up to 7 days after enrollment

  • Ventilator-free days within 30 days

    Up to 30 days after enrollment

  • Length of stay in the ICU

    Up to 30 days after enrollment

  • 30-day all-cause mortality

    Up to 30 days after enrollment

Other Outcomes (6)

  • Proportion of patients without delirium

    Up to 7 days after enrollment

  • Proportion of patients without delirium or coma

    Up to 7 days after enrollment

  • Length of stay in hospital after enrollment

    Up to 30 days after enrollment

  • +3 more other outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Combination

EXPERIMENTAL

Sedation-analgesia is provided with dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for up to 14 days or until discharge from the ICU. The formulation consists of dexmedetomidine 200 μg/2 ml and esketamine 100 mg/4 ml, diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 50 ml, resulting in a dexmedetomidine concentration of 4 μg/ml and an esketamine concentration of 2 mg/ml.

Drug: Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Combination

Dexmedetomidine

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Sedation-analgesia is provided with dexmedetomidine for up to 14 days or until discharge from the ICU. The formulation consists of dexmedetomidine 200 μg/2 ml, diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 50 ml, resulting in a dexmedetomidine concentration of 4 μg/ml.

Drug: Dexmedetomidine

Interventions

Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine CombinationDRUG

For patients with invasive ventilation, nighttime sedation (20:00-06:00) is provided with an initial infusion rate of \[0.05Ă—kg\] ml/h which is increased by \[0.025Ă—kg\] ml/h every 10 min, until the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) reaches -2 to -1, maximal infusion rate reaches \[0.175Ă—kg\] ml/h, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime sedation (06:00-20:00) is provided as above when considered necessary by the ICU physicians, with a target RASS score of -2 to +1. For patients with non-invasive ventilation (including high-flow nasal oxygenation) or without assisted ventilation, nighttime sedation (20:00-06:00) is provided with an initial infusion rate of \[0.0125Ă—kg\] ml/h which is increased by \[0.0125Ă—kg\] ml/h every 10 min, until the RASS reaches -1, maximal infusion rate reaches \[0.05Ă—kg\] ml/h, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime sedation (06:00-20:00) is typically not required but is provided when considered necessary by the ICU physicians, with a target RASS score of -1 to +1.

Also known as: Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, Esketamine hydrochloride
Dexmedetomidine-Esketamine Combination
DexmedetomidineDRUG

For patients with invasive ventilation, nighttime sedation (20:00-06:00) is provided with an initial infusion rate of \[0.05Ă—kg\] ml/h which is increased by \[0.025Ă—kg\] ml/h every 10 min, until the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) reaches -2 to -1, maximal infusion rate reaches \[0.175Ă—kg\] ml/h, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime sedation (06:00-20:00) is provided as above when considered necessary by the ICU physicians, with a target RASS score of -2 to +1. For patients with non-invasive ventilation (including high-flow nasal oxygenation) or without assisted ventilation, nighttime sedation (20:00-06:00) is provided with an initial infusion rate of \[0.0125Ă—kg\] ml/h which is increased by \[0.0125Ă—kg\] ml/h every 10 min, until the RASS reaches -1, maximal infusion rate reaches \[0.05Ă—kg\] ml/h, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime sedation (06:00-20:00) is typically not required but is provided when considered necessary by the ICU physicians, with a target RASS score of -1 to +1.

Also known as: Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
Dexmedetomidine

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Aged ≥18 years;
  • Receiving invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the ICU, with an expected duration ≥24 hours;
  • Require sedation as judged by ICU physicians.

You may not qualify if:

  • Pregnant or lactating women;
  • History of schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or myasthenia gravis;
  • Unable to communicate due to coma, severe dementia, or language barrier prior to invasive/non-invasive mechanical ventilation;
  • After stroke, hypoxic encephalopathy, traumatic brain injury, or neurosurgery;
  • Comorbid with hyperthyroidism or pheochromocytoma;
  • Left ventricular ejection fraction \<30%, sick sinus syndrome, severe sinus bradycardia (heart rate \<50 bpm), second-degree or higher atrioventricular block without a pacemaker, or systolic blood pressure \<90 mmHg despite use of vasopressors;
  • Severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh Class C), severe renal dysfunction (requiring dialysis), or expected survival ≤24 hours;
  • Allergy to dexmedetomidine and/or esketamine, or any other conditions that are considered unsuitable for study participation.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (3)

Peking University First Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100034, China

Location

Peking University International Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 102206, China

Location

Tianjin Medical University General Hospital

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300052, China

Location

Related Publications (70)

  • Fritsch S, Bickenbach J. [Respiratory Insufficiency: State of the Art - Diagnosis and Therapy]. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2018 Feb;53(2):90-101. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-107167. Epub 2018 Feb 9. German.

    PMID: 29426048BACKGROUND

  • Hempel G, Simon P, Salz P, Wrigge H. [Respiratory Failure: Innovations in Diagnostics and Therapy]. Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther. 2018 Feb;53(2):126-140. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-108216. Epub 2018 Feb 9. German.

    PMID: 29426051BACKGROUND

  • May AD, Parker AM, Caldwell ES, Hough CL, Jutte JE, Gonzalez MS, Needham DM, Hosey MM. Provider-Documented Anxiety in the ICU: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Associated Patient Outcomes. J Intensive Care Med. 2021 Dec;36(12):1424-1430. doi: 10.1177/0885066620956564. Epub 2020 Oct 9.

    PMID: 33034254BACKGROUND

  • Tate JA, Devito Dabbs A, Hoffman LA, Milbrandt E, Happ MB. Anxiety and agitation in mechanically ventilated patients. Qual Health Res. 2012 Feb;22(2):157-73. doi: 10.1177/1049732311421616. Epub 2011 Sep 9.

    PMID: 21908706BACKGROUND

  • Cooper AB, Thornley KS, Young GB, Slutsky AS, Stewart TE, Hanly PJ. Sleep in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Chest. 2000 Mar;117(3):809-18. doi: 10.1378/chest.117.3.809.

    PMID: 10713011BACKGROUND

  • Hardin KA, Seyal M, Stewart T, Bonekat HW. Sleep in critically ill chemically paralyzed patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Chest. 2006 Jun;129(6):1468-77. doi: 10.1378/chest.129.6.1468.

    PMID: 16778263BACKGROUND

  • Honarmand K, Rafay H, Le J, Mohan S, Rochwerg B, Devlin JW, Skrobik Y, Weinhouse GL, Drouot X, Watson PL, McKinley S, Bosma KJ. A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Sleep Disruption in Critically Ill Adults. Crit Care Med. 2020 Jul;48(7):1066-1074. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000004405.

    PMID: 32433122BACKGROUND

  • Gehlbach BK, Chapotot F, Leproult R, Whitmore H, Poston J, Pohlman M, Miller A, Pohlman AS, Nedeltcheva A, Jacobsen JH, Hall JB, Van Cauter E. Temporal disorganization of circadian rhythmicity and sleep-wake regulation in mechanically ventilated patients receiving continuous intravenous sedation. Sleep. 2012 Aug 1;35(8):1105-14. doi: 10.5665/sleep.1998.

    PMID: 22851806BACKGROUND

  • Elliott R, McKinley S, Cistulli P, Fien M. Characterisation of sleep in intensive care using 24-hour polysomnography: an observational study. Crit Care. 2013 Mar 18;17(2):R46. doi: 10.1186/cc12565.

    PMID: 23506782BACKGROUND

  • Rault C, Sangare A, Diaz V, Ragot S, Frat JP, Raux M, Similowski T, Robert R, Thille AW, Drouot X. Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Respiratory Motor Output and Endurance. A Physiological Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Apr 15;201(8):976-983. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201904-0819OC.

    PMID: 31810378BACKGROUND

  • Finan PH, Goodin BR, Smith MT. The association of sleep and pain: an update and a path forward. J Pain. 2013 Dec;14(12):1539-52. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2013.08.007.

    PMID: 24290442BACKGROUND

  • Fernandes NM, Nield LE, Popel N, Cantor WJ, Plante S, Goldman L, Prabhakar M, Manlhiot C, McCrindle BW, Miner SE. Symptoms of disturbed sleep predict major adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention. Can J Cardiol. 2014 Jan;30(1):118-24. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2013.07.009. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

    PMID: 24140074BACKGROUND

  • Tobaldini E, Fiorelli EM, Solbiati M, Costantino G, Nobili L, Montano N. Short sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk: from pathophysiology to clinical evidence. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2019 Apr;16(4):213-224. doi: 10.1038/s41569-018-0109-6.

    PMID: 30410106BACKGROUND

  • Miner SE, Pahal D, Nichols L, Darwood A, Nield LE, Wulffhart Z. Sleep Disruption is Associated with Increased Ventricular Ectopy and Cardiac Arrest in Hospitalized Adults. Sleep. 2016 Apr 1;39(4):927-35. doi: 10.5665/sleep.5656.

    PMID: 26715226BACKGROUND

  • Van Rompaey B, Elseviers MM, Schuurmans MJ, Shortridge-Baggett LM, Truijen S, Bossaert L. Risk factors for delirium in intensive care patients: a prospective cohort study. Crit Care. 2009;13(3):R77. doi: 10.1186/cc7892. Epub 2009 May 20.

    PMID: 19457226BACKGROUND

  • Slatore CG, Goy ER, O'hearn DJ, Boudreau EA, O'Malley JP, Peters D, Ganzini L. Sleep quality and its association with delirium among veterans enrolled in hospice. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Apr;20(4):317-26. doi: 10.1097/JGP.0b013e3182487680.

    PMID: 22367162BACKGROUND

  • Fadayomi AB, Ibala R, Bilotta F, Westover MB, Akeju O. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Examining the Impact of Sleep Disturbance on Postoperative Delirium. Crit Care Med. 2018 Dec;46(12):e1204-e1212. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003400.

    PMID: 30222634BACKGROUND

  • Fong HK, Sands LP, Leung JM. The role of postoperative analgesia in delirium and cognitive decline in elderly patients: a systematic review. Anesth Analg. 2006 Apr;102(4):1255-66. doi: 10.1213/01.ane.0000198602.29716.53.

    PMID: 16551934BACKGROUND

  • Wilson JE, Mart MF, Cunningham C, Shehabi Y, Girard TD, MacLullich AMJ, Slooter AJC, Ely EW. Delirium. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2020 Nov 12;6(1):90. doi: 10.1038/s41572-020-00223-4.

    PMID: 33184265BACKGROUND

  • Igwe EO, Nealon J, O'Shaughnessy P, Bowden A, Chang HR, Ho MH, Montayre J, Montgomery A, Rolls K, Chou KR, Chen KH, Traynor V, Smerdely P. Incidence of postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing surgical procedures: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2023 Jun;20(3):220-237. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12649. Epub 2023 May 2.

    PMID: 37128953BACKGROUND

  • Krewulak KD, Stelfox HT, Leigh JP, Ely EW, Fiest KM. Incidence and Prevalence of Delirium Subtypes in an Adult ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Crit Care Med. 2018 Dec;46(12):2029-2035. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003402.

    PMID: 30234569BACKGROUND

  • Ely EW, Inouye SK, Bernard GR, Gordon S, Francis J, May L, Truman B, Speroff T, Gautam S, Margolin R, Hart RP, Dittus R. Delirium in mechanically ventilated patients: validity and reliability of the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). JAMA. 2001 Dec 5;286(21):2703-10. doi: 10.1001/jama.286.21.2703.

    PMID: 11730446BACKGROUND

  • Mehta S, Cook D, Devlin JW, Skrobik Y, Meade M, Fergusson D, Herridge M, Steinberg M, Granton J, Ferguson N, Tanios M, Dodek P, Fowler R, Burns K, Jacka M, Olafson K, Mallick R, Reynolds S, Keenan S, Burry L; SLEAP Investigators; Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. Prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of delirium in mechanically ventilated adults. Crit Care Med. 2015 Mar;43(3):557-66. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000000727.

    PMID: 25493968BACKGROUND

  • Milbrandt EB, Deppen S, Harrison PL, Shintani AK, Speroff T, Stiles RA, Truman B, Bernard GR, Dittus RS, Ely EW. Costs associated with delirium in mechanically ventilated patients. Crit Care Med. 2004 Apr;32(4):955-62. doi: 10.1097/01.ccm.0000119429.16055.92.

    PMID: 15071384BACKGROUND

  • Knauert MP, Gilmore EJ, Murphy TE, Yaggi HK, Van Ness PH, Han L, Hirsch LJ, Pisani MA. Association between death and loss of stage N2 sleep features among critically Ill patients with delirium. J Crit Care. 2018 Dec;48:124-129. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2018.08.028. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

    PMID: 30179762BACKGROUND

  • Pandharipande PP, Girard TD, Jackson JC, Morandi A, Thompson JL, Pun BT, Brummel NE, Hughes CG, Vasilevskis EE, Shintani AK, Moons KG, Geevarghese SK, Canonico A, Hopkins RO, Bernard GR, Dittus RS, Ely EW; BRAIN-ICU Study Investigators. Long-term cognitive impairment after critical illness. N Engl J Med. 2013 Oct 3;369(14):1306-16. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1301372.

    PMID: 24088092BACKGROUND

  • Witlox J, Eurelings LS, de Jonghe JF, Kalisvaart KJ, Eikelenboom P, van Gool WA. Delirium in elderly patients and the risk of postdischarge mortality, institutionalization, and dementia: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2010 Jul 28;304(4):443-51. doi: 10.1001/jama.2010.1013.

    PMID: 20664045BACKGROUND

  • Pandharipande P, Ely EW. Sedative and analgesic medications: risk factors for delirium and sleep disturbances in the critically ill. Crit Care Clin. 2006 Apr;22(2):313-27, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2006.02.010.

    PMID: 16678002BACKGROUND

  • Trompeo AC, Vidi Y, Locane MD, Braghiroli A, Mascia L, Bosma K, Ranieri VM. Sleep disturbances in the critically ill patients: role of delirium and sedative agents. Minerva Anestesiol. 2011 Jun;77(6):604-12.

    PMID: 21617624BACKGROUND

  • Weinhouse GL, Watson PL. Sedation and sleep disturbances in the ICU. Crit Care Clin. 2009 Jul;25(3):539-49, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2009.04.003.

    PMID: 19576529BACKGROUND

  • Kanji S, Mera A, Hutton B, Burry L, Rosenberg E, MacDonald E, Luks V. Pharmacological interventions to improve sleep in hospitalised adults: a systematic review. BMJ Open. 2016 Jul 29;6(7):e012108. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012108.

    PMID: 27473952BACKGROUND

  • Weerink MAS, Struys MMRF, Hannivoort LN, Barends CRM, Absalom AR, Colin P. Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Dexmedetomidine. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2017 Aug;56(8):893-913. doi: 10.1007/s40262-017-0507-7.

    PMID: 28105598BACKGROUND

  • Nelson LE, Lu J, Guo T, Saper CB, Franks NP, Maze M. The alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist dexmedetomidine converges on an endogenous sleep-promoting pathway to exert its sedative effects. Anesthesiology. 2003 Feb;98(2):428-36. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200302000-00024.

    PMID: 12552203BACKGROUND

  • Alexopoulou C, Kondili E, Diamantaki E, Psarologakis C, Kokkini S, Bolaki M, Georgopoulos D. Effects of dexmedetomidine on sleep quality in critically ill patients: a pilot study. Anesthesiology. 2014 Oct;121(4):801-7. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000361.

    PMID: 24988068BACKGROUND

  • Turan A, Duncan A, Leung S, Karimi N, Fang J, Mao G, Hargrave J, Gillinov M, Trombetta C, Ayad S, Hassan M, Feider A, Howard-Quijano K, Ruetzler K, Sessler DI; DECADE Study Group. Dexmedetomidine for reduction of atrial fibrillation and delirium after cardiac surgery (DECADE): a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2020 Jul 18;396(10245):177-185. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30631-0.

    PMID: 32682483BACKGROUND

  • Shehabi Y, Howe BD, Bellomo R, Arabi YM, Bailey M, Bass FE, Bin Kadiman S, McArthur CJ, Murray L, Reade MC, Seppelt IM, Takala J, Wise MP, Webb SA; ANZICS Clinical Trials Group and the SPICE III Investigators. Early Sedation with Dexmedetomidine in Critically Ill Patients. N Engl J Med. 2019 Jun 27;380(26):2506-2517. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1904710. Epub 2019 May 19.

    PMID: 31112380BACKGROUND

  • Su X, Meng ZT, Wu XH, Cui F, Li HL, Wang DX, Zhu X, Zhu SN, Maze M, Ma D. Dexmedetomidine for prevention of delirium in elderly patients after non-cardiac surgery: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2016 Oct 15;388(10054):1893-1902. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30580-3. Epub 2016 Aug 16.

    PMID: 27542303BACKGROUND

  • Wu XH, Cui F, Zhang C, Meng ZT, Wang DX, Ma J, Wang GF, Zhu SN, Ma D. Low-dose Dexmedetomidine Improves Sleep Quality Pattern in Elderly Patients after Noncardiac Surgery in the Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesthesiology. 2016 Nov;125(5):979-991. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000001325.

    PMID: 27571256BACKGROUND

  • Zhang DF, Su X, Meng ZT, Li HL, Wang DX, Xue-Ying Li, Maze M, Ma D. Impact of Dexmedetomidine on Long-term Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery in Elderly: 3-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Surg. 2019 Aug;270(2):356-363. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000002801.

    PMID: 29742525BACKGROUND

  • Skrobik Y, Duprey MS, Hill NS, Devlin JW. Low-Dose Nocturnal Dexmedetomidine Prevents ICU Delirium. A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018 May 1;197(9):1147-1156. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201710-1995OC.

    PMID: 29498534BACKGROUND

  • Sun YM, Zhu SN, Zhang C, Li SL, Wang DX. Effect of low-dose dexmedetomidine on sleep quality in postoperative patients with mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit: A pilot randomized trial. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Aug 31;9:931084. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.931084. eCollection 2022.

    PMID: 36117973BACKGROUND

  • Barrett W, Buxhoeveden M, Dhillon S. Ketamine: a versatile tool for anesthesia and analgesia. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2020 Oct;33(5):633-638. doi: 10.1097/ACO.0000000000000916.

    PMID: 32826629BACKGROUND

  • Wolff K, Winstock AR. Ketamine : from medicine to misuse. CNS Drugs. 2006;20(3):199-218. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200620030-00003.

    PMID: 16529526BACKGROUND

  • Schwenk ES, Viscusi ER, Buvanendran A, Hurley RW, Wasan AD, Narouze S, Bhatia A, Davis FN, Hooten WM, Cohen SP. Consensus Guidelines on the Use of Intravenous Ketamine Infusions for Acute Pain Management From the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2018 Jul;43(5):456-466. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000806.

    PMID: 29870457BACKGROUND

  • Devlin JW, Skrobik Y, Gelinas C, Needham DM, Slooter AJC, Pandharipande PP, Watson PL, Weinhouse GL, Nunnally ME, Rochwerg B, Balas MC, van den Boogaard M, Bosma KJ, Brummel NE, Chanques G, Denehy L, Drouot X, Fraser GL, Harris JE, Joffe AM, Kho ME, Kress JP, Lanphere JA, McKinley S, Neufeld KJ, Pisani MA, Payen JF, Pun BT, Puntillo KA, Riker RR, Robinson BRH, Shehabi Y, Szumita PM, Winkelman C, Centofanti JE, Price C, Nikayin S, Misak CJ, Flood PD, Kiedrowski K, Alhazzani W. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption in Adult Patients in the ICU. Crit Care Med. 2018 Sep;46(9):e825-e873. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000003299.

    PMID: 30113379BACKGROUND

  • Feinberg I, Campbell IG. Ketamine administration during waking increases delta EEG intensity in rat sleep. Neuropsychopharmacology. 1993 Aug;9(1):41-8. doi: 10.1038/npp.1993.41.

    PMID: 8397722BACKGROUND

  • Duncan WC, Sarasso S, Ferrarelli F, Selter J, Riedner BA, Hejazi NS, Yuan P, Brutsche N, Manji HK, Tononi G, Zarate CA. Concomitant BDNF and sleep slow wave changes indicate ketamine-induced plasticity in major depressive disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2013 Mar;16(2):301-11. doi: 10.1017/S1461145712000545. Epub 2012 Jun 7.

    PMID: 22676966BACKGROUND

  • Faraguna U, Vyazovskiy VV, Nelson AB, Tononi G, Cirelli C. A causal role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the homeostatic regulation of sleep. J Neurosci. 2008 Apr 9;28(15):4088-95. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5510-07.2008.

    PMID: 18400908BACKGROUND

  • Song B, Zhu J. A Novel Application of Ketamine for Improving Perioperative Sleep Disturbances. Nat Sci Sleep. 2021 Dec 25;13:2251-2266. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S341161. eCollection 2021.

    PMID: 34992482BACKGROUND

  • Duncan WC Jr, Ballard ED, Zarate CA. Ketamine-Induced Glutamatergic Mechanisms of Sleep and Wakefulness: Insights for Developing Novel Treatments for Disturbed Sleep and Mood. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2019;253:337-358. doi: 10.1007/164_2017_51.

    PMID: 28939975BACKGROUND

  • Berman RM, Cappiello A, Anand A, Oren DA, Heninger GR, Charney DS, Krystal JH. Antidepressant effects of ketamine in depressed patients. Biol Psychiatry. 2000 Feb 15;47(4):351-4. doi: 10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00230-9.

    PMID: 10686270BACKGROUND

  • Abdallah CG, Adams TG, Kelmendi B, Esterlis I, Sanacora G, Krystal JH. KETAMINE'S MECHANISM OF ACTION: A PATH TO RAPID-ACTING ANTIDEPRESSANTS. Depress Anxiety. 2016 Aug;33(8):689-97. doi: 10.1002/da.22501. Epub 2016 Apr 6.

    PMID: 27062302BACKGROUND

  • Newport DJ, Carpenter LL, McDonald WM, Potash JB, Tohen M, Nemeroff CB; APA Council of Research Task Force on Novel Biomarkers and Treatments. Ketamine and Other NMDA Antagonists: Early Clinical Trials and Possible Mechanisms in Depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2015 Oct;172(10):950-66. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15040465.

    PMID: 26423481BACKGROUND

  • Kishimoto T, Chawla JM, Hagi K, Zarate CA, Kane JM, Bauer M, Correll CU. Single-dose infusion ketamine and non-ketamine N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists for unipolar and bipolar depression: a meta-analysis of efficacy, safety and time trajectories. Psychol Med. 2016 May;46(7):1459-72. doi: 10.1017/S0033291716000064. Epub 2016 Feb 12.

    PMID: 26867988BACKGROUND

  • Bartova L, Papageorgiou K, Milenkovic I, Dold M, Weidenauer A, Willeit M, Winkler D, Kasper S. Rapid antidepressant effect of S-ketamine in schizophrenia. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2018 Aug;28(8):980-982. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.05.007. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

    PMID: 30041987BACKGROUND

  • Molero P, Ramos-Quiroga JA, Martin-Santos R, Calvo-Sanchez E, Gutierrez-Rojas L, Meana JJ. Antidepressant Efficacy and Tolerability of Ketamine and Esketamine: A Critical Review. CNS Drugs. 2018 May;32(5):411-420. doi: 10.1007/s40263-018-0519-3.

    PMID: 29736744BACKGROUND

  • Canuso CM, Singh JB, Fedgchin M, Alphs L, Lane R, Lim P, Pinter C, Hough D, Sanacora G, Manji H, Drevets WC. Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Esketamine for the Rapid Reduction of Symptoms of Depression and Suicidality in Patients at Imminent Risk for Suicide: Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Am J Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 1;175(7):620-630. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17060720. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

    PMID: 29656663BACKGROUND

  • Segmiller F, Ruther T, Linhardt A, Padberg F, Berger M, Pogarell O, Moller HJ, Kohler C, Schule C. Repeated S-ketamine infusions in therapy resistant depression: a case series. J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Sep;53(9):996-8. doi: 10.1002/jcph.122. Epub 2013 Jul 24. No abstract available.

    PMID: 23893490BACKGROUND

  • Persson J, Hasselstrom J, Maurset A, Oye I, Svensson JO, Almqvist O, Scheinin H, Gustafsson LL, Almqvist O. Pharmacokinetics and non-analgesic effects of S- and R-ketamines in healthy volunteers with normal and reduced metabolic capacity. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Feb;57(12):869-75. doi: 10.1007/s002280100353.

    PMID: 11936706BACKGROUND

  • Bornemann-Cimenti H, Wejbora M, Michaeli K, Edler A, Sandner-Kiesling A. The effects of minimal-dose versus low-dose S-ketamine on opioid consumption, hyperalgesia, and postoperative delirium: a triple-blinded, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Minerva Anestesiol. 2016 Oct;82(10):1069-1076. Epub 2016 Jun 21.

    PMID: 27327855BACKGROUND

  • Hu ZC, Xu G, Zhang XW, Ma K, Jin JJ, Li PS. [Meta-analysis of the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with ketamine during dressing changes in burn patients]. Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2020 Jun 20;36(6):458-464. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn501120-20190327-00145. Chinese.

    PMID: 32594705BACKGROUND

  • Lee KH, Lee SJ, Park JH, Kim SH, Lee H, Oh DS, Kim YH, Park YH, Kim H, Lee SE. Analgesia for spinal anesthesia positioning in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures: Dexmedetomidine-ketamine versus dexmedetomidine-fentanyl. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 May;99(20):e20001. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020001.

    PMID: 32443302BACKGROUND

  • Zhang Y, Cui F, Ma JH, Wang DX. Mini-dose esketamine-dexmedetomidine combination to supplement analgesia for patients after scoliosis correction surgery: a double-blind randomised trial. Br J Anaesth. 2023 Aug;131(2):385-396. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.05.001. Epub 2023 Jun 9.

    PMID: 37302963BACKGROUND

  • Tembo AC, Parker V. Factors that impact on sleep in intensive care patients. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2009 Dec;25(6):314-22. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2009.07.002. Epub 2009 Oct 31.

    PMID: 19880319BACKGROUND

  • Blissitt PA. Sleep and Mechanical Ventilation in Critical Care. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2016 Jun;28(2):195-203. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2016.02.002. Epub 2016 Apr 5.

    PMID: 27215357BACKGROUND

  • Roche Campo F, Drouot X, Thille AW, Galia F, Cabello B, d'Ortho MP, Brochard L. Poor sleep quality is associated with late noninvasive ventilation failure in patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Crit Care Med. 2010 Feb;38(2):477-85. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181bc8243.

    PMID: 19789439BACKGROUND

  • Lewis K, Piticaru J, Chaudhuri D, Basmaji J, Fan E, Moller MH, Devlin JW, Alhazzani W. Safety and Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine in Acutely Ill Adults Requiring Noninvasive Ventilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials. Chest. 2021 Jun;159(6):2274-2288. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.12.052. Epub 2021 Jan 9.

    PMID: 33434496BACKGROUND

  • Shinall MC Jr, Arya S, Youk A, Varley P, Shah R, Massarweh NN, Shireman PK, Johanning JM, Brown AJ, Christie NA, Crist L, Curtin CM, Drolet BC, Dhupar R, Griffin J, Ibinson JW, Johnson JT, Kinney S, LaGrange C, Langerman A, Loyd GE, Mady LJ, Mott MP, Patri M, Siebler JC, Stimson CJ, Thorell WE, Vincent SA, Hall DE. Association of Preoperative Patient Frailty and Operative Stress With Postoperative Mortality. JAMA Surg. 2020 Jan 1;155(1):e194620. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2019.4620. Epub 2020 Jan 15.

    PMID: 31721994BACKGROUND

  • Katayama H, Kurokawa Y, Nakamura K, Ito H, Kanemitsu Y, Masuda N, Tsubosa Y, Satoh T, Yokomizo A, Fukuda H, Sasako M. Extended Clavien-Dindo classification of surgical complications: Japan Clinical Oncology Group postoperative complications criteria. Surg Today. 2016 Jun;46(6):668-85. doi: 10.1007/s00595-015-1236-x. Epub 2015 Aug 20.

    PMID: 26289837BACKGROUND

  • Austin PC. An Introduction to Propensity Score Methods for Reducing the Effects of Confounding in Observational Studies. Multivariate Behav Res. 2011 May;46(3):399-424. doi: 10.1080/00273171.2011.568786. Epub 2011 Jun 8.

    PMID: 21818162BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Delirium

Interventions

Dexmedetomidine

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ConfusionNeurobehavioral ManifestationsNeurologic ManifestationsNervous System DiseasesSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsNeurocognitive DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

ImidazolesAzolesHeterocyclic Compounds, 1-RingHeterocyclic Compounds

Study Officials

  • Dong-Xin Wang, MD, PhD

    Peking University First Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Dong-Xin Wang, MD, PhD

CONTACT

8610 83572784wangdongxin@hotmail.com

Xian Su, MD, PhD

CONTACT

8610 83575138suxxxx@126.com

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor and Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 15, 2024

First Posted

June 21, 2024

Study Start

November 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2029

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2030

Last Updated

July 31, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

CN(3)