Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a relatively recent a2-adrenergic agonist which provides sedation,
anxiolysis and analgesia with much less respiratory depression than other sedatives. These characteristics have
implemented the use of the drug in the ICUs in order to achieve the target of a “arousable sedation”, thanks to
its significant manageability. Its sedative-analgesic properties are also particularly suitable for use in burn
ICUs, both adult and pediatric, which is why the current Guidelines have recognized a central role in the
management of these categories of patients. Finally, DEX has showed significant anti-inflammatory effect
both in animal models and in preliminary clinical trials, reducing vasopressor requirements and main
mediators levels of the systemic inflammatory response involved in sepsis and similar processes, suggestingits use for improved outcome in ICU septic patients
