Background: Our objective was to compare sedative and analgesic doses, agents, and sedation status in patients with airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) versus assist-control (AC) ventilation on the first day after acute lung injury diagnosis.
Methods: Observational study at 3 teaching hospitals.
Results: Of 240 patients, 165 received APRV or AC ventilation on day 1 (17 APRV, 148 AC). The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was lower in the APRV versus AC group [17 (14-20) vs. 25 (21-32), P < .001]. Median total doses of sedatives and analgesics were lower in APRV versus AC (29 vs. 98 mg of midazolam-equivalents, P < .001) and (1200 vs. 2400 mcg of fentanyl equivalents, P = .006). APRV patients were less sedated versus AC (median Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale -2 vs. -4, P < .002).
Conclusions: APRV may be associated with decreased sedation and analgesia medications and improved sedation status. Differences in the patients receiving APRV versus AC ventilation may have contributed to this conclusion. Further investigation is needed.