Tag: Intensive care unit

In intensive care units, vasoactive medications are used in approximately one-fourth of cases, demonstrating their importance in managing life-threatening conditions. So, **what is a vasoactive drip**? It is a continuous intravenous infusion of potent drugs designed to manage severe hemodynamic instability, such as in cases of shock or heart failure.

Esmolol's elimination half-life is approximately nine minutes, a striking contrast to the hours-long half-lives of most other beta blockers. This unique pharmacokinetic profile, combined with its cardioselectivity and intravenous-only administration, defines how is esmolol different from other beta blockers and makes it invaluable for acute and critical care medicine.

In septic shock, a life-threatening condition, mortality rates can be significant, emphasizing the urgent need for effective medical intervention. In these dire situations, knowing what is norad used for becomes critical, as it is a powerful vasopressor that restores dangerously low blood pressure and is often the first-line drug of choice.

Originally approved for short-term ICU sedation in adults, the versatile application of dexmedetomidine has expanded to include various medical procedures and off-label uses. The question of what is dexmedetomidine used for now encompasses a range of clinical scenarios where its unique sedative and analgesic properties are beneficial.

Approximately 85% of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) receive sedatives during their stay. Understanding **why do they sedate patients in the ICU** involves balancing patient comfort and safety with the potential risks of medication and balancing the goals of medical care.