Impact of sedation with propofol and/or sufentanil on short-term outcomes in patients admitted to the intensive care unit: A retrospective study

Abstract

Background In the intensive care unit, sedation plays a crucial role in managing critically ill patients, particularly those undergoing invasive procedures. Common sedatives such as propofol and sufentanil are administered to ensure comfort and alleviate pain among intensive care unit patients. However, prolonged sedation is associated with risks, including delayed recovery, increased susceptibility to infections, and challenges in monitoring critical conditions. This study investigated the effect of sedation using only propofol, only sufentanil, and a combination of both on short-term outcomes in intensive care unit patients. Methods In total, 300 adult intensive care unit patients, both postoperative and nonpostoperative, were included in this retrospective study. The observation period was 10 days from intensive care unit admission. In addition to baseline clinical data, intensive care unit length of stay, delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, occurrence of pulmonary infiltrates on chest X-ray, onset of acute kidney injury, and need for reintubation were assessed as study outcomes. Results Results showed that patients sedated using sufentanil alone or in combination with propofol had a longer length of intensive care unit stay and exhibited higher delta Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, which worsened over a 10-day period compared with those who were not sedated or administered propofol alone. Additionally, new pulmonary infiltrates occurred more frequently in patients sedated with a combination of propofol and sufentanil than in those who were administered propofol alone or no sedation. Patients who were administered sufentanil alone were reintubated more often than those who were not sedated or were administered propofol alone. Conclusions The use of sufentanil, alone or combined with propofol, is associated with poorer short-term outcomes in ICU patients. These findings highlight the need for careful evaluation of sedation strategies in critically ill patients.