Opioid and benzodiazepine requirements in neonatal and pediatric patients undergoing venoarterial ECMO: insights from a predominantly cardiac cohort - Takeaways - MDSpire

Sedation and Analgesic Use of Opioids and Benzodiazepines in Neonates and Children on Venoarterial ECMO: Findings from a Primarily Cardiac Patient Group

  • By

  • Somayah A. Alsuhaibani

  • Ashjan F. Alghanem

  • Ibrahim A. Alredaini

  • Shaimaa Alsulami

  • Luluah A. AlTukhaifi

  • Reem M. Beheri

  • Mashael AlFaifi

  • Renad A. Alshuraim

  • Lama Alfehaid

  • Khalid Al Sulaiman

  • July 21, 2026

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  • 1

    The study analyzed sedation and analgesic use in 80 neonates and pediatric patients on venoarterial ECMO from 2019 to 2023.

  • 2

    All patients received opioids, and 96.3% received benzodiazepines, with median cumulative exposures of 7.33 mg/kg and 15.75 mg/kg, respectively.

  • 3

    Longer ICU stays and ECMO durations were linked to increased cumulative opioid exposure, with significant coefficients indicating strong associations.

  • 4

    Higher average opioid doses, acute kidney injury, and prolonged ICU and ECMO durations were predictors of increased in-hospital mortality.

  • 5

    The findings emphasize the need for individualized sedation strategies to optimize outcomes in critically ill neonates and pediatric patients.

Original Source(s)

Opioid and benzodiazepine requirements in neonatal and pediatric patients undergoing venoarterial ECMO: insights from a predominantly cardiac cohort

  • by Somayah A. Alsuhaibani, Ashjan F. Alghanem, Ibrahim A. Alredaini, Shaimaa Alsulami, Luluah A. AlTukhaifi, Reem M. Beheri, Mashael AlFaifi, Renad A. Alshuraim, Lama Alfehaid, Khalid Al Sulaiman

  • July 21, 2026

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