Results from 24 studies on dexmedetomidine were assessed in a meta-analysis to determine the effect on ICU length of stay. The authors concluded that the limited evidence suggests that dexmedetomidine might reduce length of ICU stay in some critically ill patients, but the risk of bradycardia was significantly higher when both a loading dose and high maintenance doses (>0.7 μg/kg/h) were used.
Use of dexmedetomidine as a sedative and analgesic agent in critically ill adult patients: a meta-analysis.
Intensive Care Med. 2010 Jun;36(6):926-39