CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
Phase 4Completed· 100 enrolled / 100 target
Drug / intervention
Dexmedetomidine +1 moredrug
Likely dose
Dexmedetomidine 0.2 μgfrom record
Structured eligibility isn't available for this trial yet — see the full criteria in the Eligibility tab below.

Standardized by ClinicalIndex from the ClinicalTrials.gov record · verify against the source.

Search/NCT07151716
NCT07151716Phase 4CompletedOn Track (12.0/mo)Completion was 3mo ago

Effect of Sedation With Dexmedetomidine-esketamine Combination on Delirium in Postoperative ICU Patients: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

Peking University First Hospital·interventional·Posted Sep 3, 2025·Updated Jun 30, 2026

In Brief

A Phase 4 clinical trial evaluating Dexmedetomidine and Dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination for Older Patients and 5 related conditions. Completed, enrolled 100 participants across 1 site.

Detailed Summary

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

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
CountriesChina
Collaborators--

Timeline

Phase 4CompletedFinished
2026
First PostedSep 3, 2025
Enrollment StartOct 21, 2025
Primary CompletionMar 31, 2026
Study CompletionApr 24, 2026
TodayJul 1, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 5 monthsPosted 10 months ago

Arms & Interventions

Dexmedetomidineactive_comparator

Sedation is provided with dexmedetomidine (4 μg/ml dexmedetomidine) for up to 7 days or until discharge from the ICU.

Drug: Dexmedetomidine
Dexmedetomidine-esketamine combinationexperimental

Sedation is provided with dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination (2 μg/ml dexmedetomidine and 1 mg/ml esketamine) combination for up to 7 days or until discharge from the ICU.

Drug: Dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination

Interventions

Dexmedetomidinedrug

For patients with endotracheal intubation, nighttime (20:00-06:00) sedation is initiated with 0.2 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and increased/decreased by 0.1 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine every 15 min, until the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) reaches -2 to -1, maximal infusion rate reaches 0.7 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime (06:00-20:00) sedation is provided as above when considered necessary, with a target RASS score of -2 to +1. For patients without endotracheal intubation, nighttime (20:00-06:00) sedation is initiated with 0.10 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and increased/decreased by 0.05 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine every 15 min, until the RASS reaches -1, maximal infusion rate reaches 0.2 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime (06:00-20:00) sedation is typically not provided.

Dexmedetomidine-esketamine combinationdrug

For patients with endotracheal intubation, nighttime (20:00-06:00) sedation is initiated with 0.1 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.05 mg/kg/h esketamine, increased/decreased by 0.05 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.025 mg/kg/h esketamine every 15 min, until the RASS reaches -2 to -1, maximal infusion rate reaches 0.35 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.175 mg/kg/h esketamine, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime (06:00-20:00) sedation is provided as above when considered necessary, with a target RASS score of -2 to +1. For patients without endotracheal intubation, nighttime (20:00-06:00) sedation is initiated with 0.05 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.025 mg/kg/h esketamine, and increased/decreased by 0.025 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.0125 mg/kg/h esketamine every 15 min, until the RASS reaches -1, maximal infusion rate reaches 0.1 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine and 0.05 mg/kg/h esketamine, or adverse reactions occur. Daytime (06:00-20:00) sedation is typically not provided.