Effect of dexmedetomidine on postoperative mortality and prognosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Dexmedetomidine use in cardiac surgery significantly reduces all-cause and in-hospital mortality, shortens hospital length of stay, decreases ICU stay duration, and reduces mechanical ventilation requirements. However, its impact on 30-day mortality is not significant. Additionally, the drug consistently demonstrates a preventive effect on postoperative delirium across different surgical types.Clinicians must carefully weigh the benefits of this medication against the potential risk of transient hemodynamic instability.