After a comprehensive analysis of including studies focusing on optimal postoperative sedation strategies for patients in ICU after cardiac surgery, our results indicated the following:

• The combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine appears to be a preferable option with the most shortened length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for adult patients requiring sedation after cardiac surgery.
• The use of dexmedetomidine in adult patients after cardiac surgery, while sedated in the ICU, has been found to result in a lower occurrence of side effects.