Ciprofol versus propofol for sedating adult ICU patients on noninvasive respiratory support

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Ciprofol Versus Propofol for Sedation in ICU Patients Undergoing Non-Invasive Ventilation: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

Observational Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University · NCT07536750

See if ciprofol works better than propofol for sedating adults in the ICU who are receiving noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, or oxygen therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1680 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT07536750 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a retrospective observational comparison of adults admitted to the ICU at Nanfang Hospital who received intravenous ciprofol or propofol for sedation while not invasively ventilated. Researchers will use electronic medical records from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 30, 2024 to compare sedation depth (RASS), vital signs, respiratory events, hemodynamic instability, and need for escalation to endotracheal intubation. Patients must have received at least two hours of the index sedative and have continuous monitoring and complete sedation assessments. Safety endpoints will focus on respiratory depression, hypoxemia, hypotension, and sedation-related adverse events in the non-intubated ICU population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) admitted to the ICU at Nanfang Hospital between Jan 1, 2022 and Jul 30, 2024 who received at least two hours of intravenous ciprofol or propofol while on noninvasive ventilation, high-flow nasal cannula, or other oxygen therapy with complete RASS and continuous vital sign records.

Not a fit: Patients who are invasively ventilated, under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, predominantly given other sedatives, or who lack complete sedation and monitoring records are unlikely to be included or to benefit from these findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If ciprofol provides effective sedation with fewer respiratory or cardiovascular side effects, patients may tolerate noninvasive respiratory support better and have fewer emergency intubations.

How similar studies have performed: Propofol is well established for ICU sedation, whereas ciprofol is a newer agent with promising anesthesia data but limited comparative real-world ICU evidence to date.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria Age:

* Age ≥18 years
* Admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 1, 2022 and July 30, 2024
* Received intravenous sedation with either ciprofol or propofol during ICU stay
* Total duration of ciprofol or propofol administration ≥2 hours
* Sedation initiated while the patient was not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation
* Receiving non-invasive respiratory support or oxygen therapy at the time sedation was started, including noninvasive ventilation (NIV), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), nasal cannula, or face mask oxygen therapy
* Availability of complete electronic medical records including sedation assessment using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)
* Availability of continuous vital sign monitoring records including respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \<18 years
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Use of other primary sedative agents during the observation period, including midazolam or dexmedetomidine
* Total exposure time to ciprofol or propofol \<2 hours
* Known allergy or hypersensitivity to ciprofol, propofol, or their formulation components
* Initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation before sedation
* Missing key clinical data required for outcome evaluation, including sedation score, vital signs, or drug administration records
* Participation in other interventional clinical trials that may interfere with outcome assessment
* Severe visual or hearing impairment preventing accurate sedation assessment
* Coma or conditions that prevent reliable evaluation using the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)
* Any condition that the investigators consider inappropriate for inclusion in the study

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Respiratory FailureCritical IllnessCiprofolPropofolICU SedationNoninvasive VentilationHigh-Flow Nasal CannulaRespiratory Depression
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.