The Effect of Nocturnal Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Sleep Quality and Fatigue After Major Surgery in Elderly Patients: DEXSLEEP Study

The comparator is a placebo, namely pure saline (NaCl 0.9%), which will be administered following the same regimen as the intervention.

Nocturnal administration of dexmedetomidine (0.2-1.0 mcg/kg/h) during the first night after surgery. Dexmedetomidine infusion, not preceded by a bolus administration, will be started at 0.4 mcg/kg/h in the intervention group at 8 p.m. the day of surgery. Dexmedetomidine infusion will be titrated every 30 minutes with 0.1 mcg/kg/h steps until a RASS of -1 to -3 (drowsy, light to moderate sedation) is reached. The infusion will be discontinued at 6 a.m. the next morning.