Effect of Dexmedetomidine vs Esmolol or Placebo on Cerebral Hemodynamics in Septic Shock

The continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.1mg/ml) will start at 0.1ug/kg/h, increasing every 20 minutes by a step change of 0.05-0.2ug/kg/h to reach the target heart rate with the expectation that this should be within 12 hours. The infusion will be reduced by step change, and if necessary, ultimately stopped if the heart rate fall below 80b.p.m..

The continuous intravenous infusion of esmolol (10mg/ml) will start at 20mg/h, increasing every 20 minutes by a step change of 20mg/h to reach the target heart rate with the expectation that this should be within 12 hours. The infusion will be reduced by step change, and if necessary, ultimately stop if the heart rate fall below 80b.p.m..