Study to Evaluate Hemodynamic Effect of Different Loading Doses of Precedex in Post-surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Patients

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Subject or the subject's legally authorized representative has voluntarily signed and dated the informed consent document approved by the Research Ethics Board (REB).
• •2. Initially intubated and mechanically ventilated adult post-operative subjects in an intensive care setting (e.g., post operative care unit, post anesthesia care unit, etc.) that are expected to require sedation for at least 2 hours.
• •3. Has an American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) classification of 1, 2, 3 or 4.
• •ASA Physical Status Classification System
• •* P1 A normal healthy subject
• •* P2 A subject with mild systemic disease
• •* P3 A subject with severe systemic disease
• •* P4 A subject with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life
• •* P5 A moribund subject who is not expected to survive without the operation
• •* P6 A declared brain-dead subject whose organs are being removed for donor purposes.
• •4. If female, subject must be postmenopausal, surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy), or practicing at least one of the following methods of birth control:
• •* hormonal contraceptives (oral, parenteral or transdermal) for at least 3 months prior to study drug administration
• •* intrauterine device (IUD)
• •* double-barrier method (condoms, contraceptive sponge, diaphragm or vaginal ring with spermicidal jellies or cream).