Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the study population

Age (years), mean ± SD

56 ± 12

Sex: male, n (%)

15 (68.2%)

BMI (kg/m²), mean ± SD

22.3 ± 4.4

Indication for mechanical ventilation, n (%)

 Pneumonia

9 (41%)

 Congestive heart failure

4 (18%)

 Alteration of consciousness

4 (18%)

 Lactic acidosis

3 (14%)

 Asthmatic attack

1 (4.5%)

 COPD with acute exacerbation

1 (4.5%)

APACHE II score on study date, median [Q1,Q3]

6 [4,7.75]

Endotracheal intubation (days), median [Q1,Q3]

2.5 [2,5.75]

Mechanical ventilation duration (days), median [Q1,Q3]

2.5 [2,5.5]

Comorbidities, n (%)

 Hypertension

11 (50%)

 DM type 2

9 (40.9%)

 Dyslipidemia

7 (31.8%)

 Chronic kidney disease

6 (27.3%)

 Ischemic heart disease

1 (4.5%)

History of sedative drugs use, n (%)

 Fentanyl

11 (50%)

 Midazolam

4 (18.2%)

 Propofol

1 (4.5%)

 None

6 (27%)

History of neuromuscular blockade use, n (%)

1 (4.5%)