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Background: Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used sedative in the intensive care unit (ICU), however the use of higher, off label dosing has yet to be elucidated. A dose limitation protocol was implemented at our institution allowing for comparison of dexmedetomidine doses. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate time spent within goal Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) range with standard-dosing of dexmedetomidine ≤1 mcg/kg/hour (SD group) compared to high-dose >1 mcg/kg/hour (HD group). Secondary outcomes included days requiring mechanical ventilation, concomitant sedation, and incidence of hypotension or bradycardia. Methods: This retrospective chart review of adult ICU patients at a single academic medical center included patients who required at least 24 hours of mechanical ventilation and received dexmedetomidine monotherapy for at least 4 hours. Patients were excluded for intubations at an outside hospital, continuous neuromuscular blocking infusions, or Glasgow Coma Score ≤4. Results: A total of 144 patients met inclusion criteria (n = 121 SD group and n = 23 HD group). The SD group spent a greater time within goal RASS range compared to the HD group (84.5% [IQR 47-100] vs 45.5% [IQR 30.1-85.4], P = .013). The SD group also had shorter durations of both dexmedetomidine infusion and mechanical ventilation, and required less concomitant sedation. There was no difference in hypotension or bradycardia. Conclusion: This study further adds to the literature that administration of high-dose dexmedetomidine does not appear to confer additional benefit over standard doses for ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Application of this data may support lower institutional maximum doses.
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INTRODUCTION: Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults and independently associated with cognitive decline. The Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) study is a multicenter randomized control trial (partially nested within the infrastructure of an observational cohort study, the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities [ARIC] study) to determine the efficacy of best-practice hearing treatment to reduce cognitive decline over 3 years. The goal of this paper is to describe the recruitment process and baseline results. METHODS: Multiple strategies were used to recruit community-dwelling 70-84-year-old participants with adult-onset hearing loss who were free of substantial cognitive impairment from the parent ARIC study and de novo from the surrounding communities into the trial. Participants completed telephone screening, an in-person hearing, vision, and cognitive screening, and a comprehensive hearing assessment to determine eligibility. RESULTS: Over a 24-month period, 3004 telephone screenings resulted in 2344 in-person hearing, vision, and cognition screenings and 1294 comprehensive hearing screenings. Among 1102 eligible, 977 were randomized into the trial (median age = 76.4 years; 53.5% female; 87.8% White; 53.3% held a Bachelor's degree or higher). Participants recruited through the ARIC study were recruited much earlier and were less likely to report hearing loss interfered with their quality of life relative to participants recruited de novo from the community. Minor differences in baseline hearing or health characteristics were found by recruitment route (i.e., ARIC study or de novo) and by study site. DISCUSSION: The ACHIEVE study successfully completed enrollment over 2 years that met originally projected rates of recruitment. Substantial operational and scientific efficiencies during study startup were achieved through embedding this trial within the infrastructure of a longstanding and well-established observational study. Highlights: The ACHIEVE study tests the effect of hearing intervention on cognitive decline.The study is partially nested within an existing cohort study.Over 2 years, 977 participants recruited and enrolled.Eligibility assessed by telephone and in-person for hearing, vision, and cognitive screening.The ACHIEVE study findings will have significant public health implications.