Efficacy and Safety of Remifentanil for Mechanically Ventilated Patients in ICU

The study was conducted in accordance with good clinical practice and with the guidelines set out in the Declaration of Helsinki. After approval from local and national ethics committees, patients from 17 centres in China were recruited. All patients were randomized, in a double-blind manner, to receive either a remifentanil-propofol regimen or a fentanyl-propofol regimen for analgesia and sedation in the ICU. The aim of the study was to achieve optimal sedation and patient comfort by maintaining an optimal Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) score of 2, without clinically significant pain, until the start of the extubation process or for 72 hours, whichever occurred first. CPOT scoring criteria: Facial expressions(Relaxed, neutral=0; Tense=1; Grimacing=2); Body movements(Absence of movements or normal position=0; Protection=1; Restlessness/Agitation=2); Muscle tension(Relaxed=0; Tense, rigid=1; Very tense or rigid=2); Compliance with the ventilator or Vocalization(Tolerating ventilator or movement/Talking in normal tone or no sound=0; Coughing but tolerating/Sighing, moaning=1; Fighting ventilator/Crying out, sobbing=2).