Aims and Objectives: To compare the efficacy of sedation and time taken for extubation using dexmedetomidine and fentanyl sedation in post-operative adult cardiac surgical patients. Methods: A prospective randomized double-blind study involving 60 patients undergoing open heart surgery was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups, each involving 30 patients. One group received fentanyl at 1 µg/kg/h (Group A) and the other received dexmedetomidine at 0.5 µg/kg/h (Group B) for post-operative sedation with intermittent rescue dose of fentanyl 0.5 µg/kg bolus in either group as per requirement. The efficacy of sedation was assessed using the Ramsay sedation score. The time taken for extubation from the stoppage of infusion was noted.