Isoflurane-Based Inhaled Sedation in Mechanically Ventilated Adults With Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: The SAVE-ICU Randomized Clinical Trial.

An isoflurane-based inhaled sedation strategy did not reduce hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated adults with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure compared with usual intravenous sedation. In the SAVE-ICU trial of 780 adults across 14 Canadian ICUs, 42.5% died in the inhaled sedation group versus 43.8% with intravenous sedation (risk ratio, 0.98; P = .85). Isoflurane patients received more adjunctive therapies for hypoxemia and had fewer delirium- and coma-free days.