1. Dexmedetomidine, clonidine, and propofol demonstrated similar costs and quality-adjusted life-years in mechanically ventilated patients.
2. IV sedation selection should be based on individual patient need rather than economic considerations.
3. Dexmedetomidine has become available as a generic medication since 2019, reducing its cost relative to previous economic analyses.
4. The study involved 1,404 adult patients with critical illness receiving mechanical ventilation.
5. Mean net monetary benefits were calculated at a maximum willingness to pay of $16,250 per QALY.
6. Study drugs accounted for less than 1% of total intensive care unit costs.
7. QALYs were estimated using utility scores from the 5-level EQ-5D instrument collected at 30 days and 3 and 6 months.

Source: JAMA Network Open