Jun 11, 2021
This episode features Benjamin Thomas
(Palliative Care Service, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health
District, Warrawong, NSW, Australia).
Terminal delirium is a common symptom at the end of life, causing
distress to patients and families. Traditional management for
terminal delirium requires sedation, which limits interaction
and rousability.
This study is the first to report on the use of dexmedetomidine for
the treatment of terminal delirium in palliative care, in a single
arm open-label study. Dexmedetomidine, delivered
by subcutaneous infusion, decreases delirium as measured by
standardised tools, with increased patient interaction and
rousability. Patients treated with dexmedetomidine are able to
self-report comfort at the end of life, reassuring clinicians
and families.
Results from this study support further research into the use of
dexmedetomidine in palliative care, particularly in comparison with
standard care to determine efficacy. Family comfort
with rousability at the end of life requires further
exploration.