Combination of ketamine and propofol versus either agent alone for procedural sedation in the emergency department

Safety of procedural sedation in emergency department settings among the adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) are a common practice in emergency departments (EDs), aiming to alleviate pain, anxiety, and discomfort during various medical procedures. We have undertaken a systematic review and meta-analysis with the aim of assessing the incidence of adverse events associated with PSA, including those related to individual drugs and various drug combinations. The study adhered to PRISMA guidelines for a systematic review and meta-analysis of adverse events in ED sedation. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across ten databases, supplemented by searches on clinicaltrials.gov and manual reviews of reference lists. Data extraction focused on medication administration and adverse events. The study considered four types of adverse events: cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on PSA administered to adult patients within the ED setting were included. The statistical analysis employed OpenMeta Analyst to conduct a one-arm meta-analysis, with findings presented alongside their corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals. Forest plots were constructed to combine and evaluate results, and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. From a literature search of 4246 records, 32 RCTs were deemed suitable for this meta-analysis. The analysis included 6377 procedural sedations. The most common adverse event was hypoxia, with an incidence rate of 78.5 per 1000 sedations (95% CI = 77.5-133.5). This was followed by apnea and hypotension, with incidence rates of 31 (95% CI = 19.5-41.8) and 28.1 (95% CI = 17.4-38.9) per 1,000 sedations, respectively. Agitation and vomiting each occurred in 15.6 per 1,000 sedations (95% CI = 8.7-22.6). Severe adverse events were rare, with bradycardia observed in 16.7 per 1,000 sedations, laryngospasm in 2.9 per 1,000 sedations (95% CI =  - 0.1 to 6), intubation in 10.8 per 1,000 sedations (95% CI = 4-17), and aspiration in 2.7 per 1,000 sedations (95% CI =  - 0.3 to 5.7). Ketamine is found to be the safest option in terms of respiratory adverse events, with the lowest rates of apnea and hypoxia, making it the least respiratory depressant among the evaluated drugs. Etomidate has the least occurrence of hypotension when used alone. Propofol has the highest incidence of hypotension when used alone and ranks second in hypoxia-related adverse events after midazolam. Using combinations of sedating agents, such as propofol and ketamine, has been found to offer several advantages over single drugs, especially in reducing adverse events like vomiting, intubation difficulty, hypotension, bradycardia, and laryngospasm. The combination significantly reduces the incidence of hypotension compared to using propofol or ketamine individually. Despite the regular use of procedural sedation, it can sometimes lead to serious adverse events. Respiratory issues like apnea and hypoxia, while not common, do occur more often than cardiovascular problems such as hypotension. However, the least frequent respiratory complications, which can also pose a threat to life, include laryngospasm, aspiration, and intubation. These incidents are extremely rare.

Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine-Dexmedetomidine Versus Ketamine-Propofol Combination for Periprocedural Sedation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The combination of ketamine with propofol and dexmedetomidine has gained popularity for sedation and general anesthesia in different populations. In our meta-nalysis, we helped the anesthesiologists to know the efficiency and the efficacy of both combinations in adult and pediatric patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to August 1, 2023. Our outcome parameters for efficacy were recovery time, pain score, and physician satisfaction while for safety were the related cardiorespiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal adverse events.

RECENT FINDINGS

Twenty-two trials were included with a total of 1429 patients. We found a significantly longer recovery time in the ketadex group of 7.59 min (95% CI, 4.92, 10.26; I2 = 94%) and a significantly less pain score of - 0.72 (95% CI, - 1.10, - 0.34; I2 = 0%). Adults had a significantly better physician satisfaction score with the ketofol group, odds ratio of 0.29 (95% CI, 0.12, 0.71; I2 = 0%). Recovery agitations were higher in the ketofol group with an odds ratio of 0.48 (95% CI, 0.24, 0.98; I2 = 36%). Furthermore, we found a significant difference between the combinations with a higher incidence in the ketadex group with pooled odds ratio of 1.75 (95% CI, 1.06, 2.88; I2 = 15%). Ketadex was associated with lower pain scores, hypoxic events and airway obstruction, and emergence agitation. At the same time, ketofol had much more clinician satisfaction which might be attributed to the shorter recovery time and lower incidence of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, we suppose that ketadex is the better combination in periprocedural sedation for both adult and pediatric patients who are not at greater risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Intramuscular ketamine provides better sedation and scan conditions in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging: A single-blinded observational study

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to compare the quality of sedation provided by intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (im) ketamine for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

This study was a non-randomized, single-blinded, and prospective observational study. After receiving approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee, a total of 108 children aged 2-7 years were divided into two groups, with 54 children in each group. In the i.v. group, children received ketamine at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg intravenously, while in the im group, children received ketamine at a dose of 4 mg/kg intramuscularly. If a Ramsay sedation score of 6 (RSS-6) was not achieved, half of the loading dose of ketamine was repeated. In both groups, rescue propofol boluses of 1 mg/kg intravenously were administered whenever the child moved. The primary outcome measure was the quality of sedation, which was assessed by a blinded radiologist. The time taken to reach RSS-6, the number of rescue propofol boluses, the total time wasted in taking repeat sequences, and the time required to achieve a modified Aldrete score of 9 (MAS-9) were recorded.

Results

The im group demonstrated significantly better sedation quality. In the i.v. group, the time to achieve RSS-6 was significantly shorter, but it required more rescue propofol boluses to maintain sedation. The i.v. group also experienced a notable increase in the total time wasted during repeat sequences. On the other hand, the i.v. group exhibited a shorter time to reach MAS-9 compared to the im group.

Conclusion

The im group showed superior sedation quality when compared to the i.v. group. However, it is important to consider that the im group experienced a longer recovery time.

Neonatal Anesthesia and Oxidative Stress

Neonatal anesthesia, while often essential for surgeries or imaging procedures, is accompanied by significant risks to redox balance in the brain due to the relatively weak antioxidant system in children. Oxidative stress is characterized by concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are elevated beyond what can be accommodated by the antioxidant defense system. In neonatal anesthesia, this has been proposed to be a contributing factor to some of the negative consequences (e.g., learning deficits and behavioral abnormalities) that are associated with early anesthetic exposure. In order to assess the relationship between neonatal anesthesia and oxidative stress, we first review the mechanisms of action of common anesthetic agents, the key pathways that produce the majority of ROS, and the main antioxidants. We then explore the possible immediate, short-term, and long-term pathways of neonatal-anesthesia-induced oxidative stress. We review a large body of literature describing oxidative stress to be evident during and immediately following neonatal anesthesia. Moreover, our review suggests that the short-term pathway has a temporally limited effect on oxidative stress, while the long-term pathway can manifest years later due to the altered development of neurons and neurovascular interactions.

Characterization of ketamine usage in a large tertiary-care emergency department

INTRODUCTION

Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative first used in clinical practice in the 1970's. Specifically within the emergency department (ED), ketamine is utilized for a wide variety of indications including but not limited to procedural sedation, rapid sequence intubation, agitation, and pain. As providers continue to utilize ketamine more frequently and for additional indications, additional data describing its safety and efficacy in the ED setting is warranted.

OBJECTIVES

To describe current trends in ketamine usage within a large tertiary-care Emergency Department.

METHODS

All patients receiving intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) ketamine within the Emergency Department between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were eligible for study inclusion. Patients were excluded from the study if they were less than 18 years of age, pregnant, or incarcerated. Data was collected using a report of ketamine removal from the ED automatic dispensing cabinets, with administration confirmed by electronic medical record review.

RESULTS

During the study period, 170 patients received 195 doses of ketamine for the indications of agitation, procedural sedation, rapid sequence intubation, pain, sedation, seizure, status asthmaticus, and unknown. Patients were mostly male (74%) with a mean age of 45 years (range 20-97 years). The most common indications for ketamine administration were agitation and procedural sedation. For agitation, ketamine was utilized as first line therapy in 45% of patients. Seventy-seven percent of these patients did not require an additional sedative agent up to 60 min after ketamine administration. Procedural sedations were most commonly orthopedic reductions, and ketamine was given more frequently in combination with propofol than as monotherapy. Five percent of patients had an adverse event documented in the electronic medical record, with a single incidence of ketamine induced laryngospasm requiring intubation.

CONCLUSION

This descriptive review supports the versatility, safety, and efficacy of ketamine use within a large, tertiary-care, academic emergency department. Larger, prospective studies are warranted to draw further conclusions regarding ideal ketamine utilization within the emergency department.

Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guideline on Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

The purpose of the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guideline on Intraoperative Management of Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is to present recommendations based on current scientific evidence. This guideline seeks to address questions regarding the intraoperative care of patients with OSA, including airway management, anesthetic drug and agent effects, and choice of anesthesia type. Given the paucity of high-quality studies with regard to study design and execution in this perioperative field, recommendations were to a large part developed by subject-matter experts through consensus processes, taking into account the current scientific knowledge base and quality of evidence. This guideline may not be suitable for all clinical settings and patients and is not intended to define standards of care or absolute requirements for patient care; thus, assessment of appropriateness should be made on an individualized basis. Adherence to this guideline cannot guarantee successful outcomes, but recommendations should rather aid health care professionals and institutions to formulate plans and develop protocols for the improvement of the perioperative care of patients with OSA, considering patient-related factors, interventions, and resource availability. Given the groundwork of a comprehensive systematic literature review, these recommendations reflect the current state of knowledge and its interpretation by a group of experts at the time of publication. While periodic reevaluations of literature are needed, novel scientific evidence between updates should be taken into account. Deviations in practice from the guideline may be justifiable and should not be interpreted as a basis for claims of negligence.

Comparison of Ketamine-Propofol and Ketamine-Thiopental on Bispectral Index Values during Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) in Minor Traumatic Orthopedic Surgery; A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial

Objective:

To compare the effects of ketamine-propofol and ketamine-thiopental on bispectral index values during monitored anesthesia care in minor orthopedic surgeries.

Methods:

This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on 90 patients undergoing minor orthopedic surgeries. Participants were randomly allocated to either groups of propofol or thiopental. Bispectral index (BIS), non-invasive arterial blood pressure, SpO2, and electrocardiogram were monitored every 5 minutes. Patients in propofol group received a bolus dose of 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, plus 0.5 mg/kg propofol. In thiopental group, patients received a bolus dose of 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, plus 50-75 mg thiopental. After the surgery, recovery duration, patients’ pain score (VAS) and any intra-operative recall or awareness were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0

Results:

BIS was lower in ketamin-propofol group (p< 0.001). Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and O2 saturation showed a significant difference between two groups (p< 0.001), which were lower in ketamin–propofol group. VAS score was higher in ketamin-thiopental group (p< 0.001). Both groups were similar in intra-operative recall/awareness.

Conclusion:

Ketamine-propofol combination deliver a better control over monitored anesthesia during surgery, providing lower BIS, higher O2 saturation and lower heart rate and arterial blood pressure in patients undergoing minor traumatic orthopedic surgeries.

Clinical trial registration:

IRCT6N 2016032320258

S(+)-ketamine : Current trends in emergency and intensive care medicine

S(+)-ketamine, the pure dextrorotatory enantiomer of ketamine has been available for clinical use in analgesia and anesthesia for more than 25 years. The main effects are mediated by non-competitive inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor but S(+)-ketamine also interacts with opioid receptors, monoamine receptors, adenosine receptors and other purinergic receptors. Effects on α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and L‑type calcium chanels have also been described. S(+)-ketamine stimulates the sympathetic nerve system, making it an ideal drug for analgosedation or induction of anesthesia in instable patients. In addition, the neuroprotective properties, bronchodilatory, antihyperalgesic or antiepileptic effects provide interesting therapeutic options. In this article we discuss the numerous effects of S(+)-ketamine under pharmacological and clinical aspects especially for typical indications in emergency medicine as well as intensive care.

Impact of Developing Adult Ketamine Order Panels for the Emergency Department

Background: Ketamine in adults has been identified as a safe and effective alternative for multiple indications, each with specific evidence-based dosing ranges. Emergency department (ED) providers are tasked with appropriate ordering of ketamine. A multi-institutional retrospective analysis within EDs at a large health system from November 2013 to October 2015 reviewed ED adult ketamine prescribing patterns for procedural sedation (PS), rapid sequence intubation (RSI), and analgesia. Retrospective cohort results revealed 56% (84 of 150) of PS, 64% (16 of 25) of RSI, and 81.5% (53 of 65) of analgesia ketamine doses fell within indication-specific dosing ranges. Objective: The study purpose was to evaluate the impact of standardizing ED ordering processes to increase appropriate dosing of ketamine. Methodology: Indication-specific adult ED ketamine order panels based on available clinical trial data were implemented in the electronic medical record and ED provider education conducted. Adults at least 18 years of age who received ketamine in the ED for PS, RSI, or analgesia from March 2016 to May 2016 were included. Patients were excluded if no weight or indication was documented. The primary outcome was percentage change in frequency of appropriately dosed ketamine versus the retrospective cohort. The secondary outcome was use of ketamine order panels. Mantel-Haenszel tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Ketamine for prospective cohort adult ED patients was significantly more likely to be dosed appropriately than in the retrospective cohort (odds ratio: 2.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-7.8; P = .0231). Conclusion: Results suggest increased standardization with added decision support increased appropriate indication-specific dosing of ketamine for adults in the ED.

Optimizing sedation in patients with acute brain injury

Daily interruption of sedative therapy and limitation of deep sedation have been shown in several randomized trials to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital length of stay, and to improve the outcome of critically ill patients. However, patients with severe acute brain injury (ABI; including subjects with coma after traumatic brain injury, ischaemic/haemorrhagic stroke, cardiac arrest, status epilepticus) were excluded from these studies. Therefore, whether the new paradigm of minimal sedation can be translated to the neuro-ICU (NICU) is unclear. In patients with ABI, sedation has ‘general’ indications (control of anxiety, pain, discomfort, agitation, facilitation of mechanical ventilation) and ‘neuro-specific’ indications (reduction of cerebral metabolic demand, improved brain tolerance to ischaemia). Sedation also is an essential therapeutic component of intracranial pressure therapy, targeted temperature management and seizure control. Given the lack of large trials which have evaluated clinically relevant endpoints, sedative selection depends on the effect of each agent on cerebral and systemic haemodynamics. Titration and withdrawal of sedation in the NICU setting has to be balanced between the risk that interrupting sedation might exacerbate brain injury (e.g. intracranial pressure elevation) and the potential benefits of enhanced neurological function and reduced complications. In this review, we provide a concise summary of cerebral physiologic effects of sedatives and analgesics, the advantages/disadvantages of each agent, the comparative effects of standard sedatives (propofol and midazolam) and the emerging role of alternative drugs (ketamine). We suggest a pragmatic approach for the use of sedation-analgesia in the NICU, focusing on some practical aspects, including optimal titration and management of sedation withdrawal according to ABI severity.

A randomized trial evaluating low doses of propofol infusion after intravenous ketamine for ambulatory pediatric magnetic resonance imaging

Objective:

Our study compared the discharge time after pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following sedation with propofol infusion dose of 100, 75 and 50 mcg/kg/min given after a bolus dose of ketamine and propofol.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred children of American Society of Anesthesiologists status 1/2, aged 6 months to 8 years, scheduled for elective MRI were enrolled and randomized to three groups to receive propofol infusion of 100, 75 or 50 mcg/kg/min (Groups A, B, and C, respectively). After premedicating children with midazolam 0.05 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.), sedation was induced with bolus dose of ketamine and propofol (1 mg/kg each) and the propofol infusion was connected. During the scan, heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation were monitored.

Results:

The primary outcome that is, discharge time was shortest for Group C (44.06 ± 18.64 min) and longest for Group A (60.00 ± 18.66 min), the difference being statistically and clinically significant. The secondary outcomes that is, additional propofol boluses, scan quality and awakening time were comparable for the three groups. The systolic blood pressure at 20, 25 and 30 min was significantly lower in Groups A and B compared with Group C. The incidence of sedation related adverse events was highest in Group A and least in Group C.

Conclusion:

After a bolus dose of ketamine and propofol (1 mg/kg each), propofol infusion of 50 mcg/kg/min provided sedation with shortest discharge time for MRI in children premedicated with midazolam 0.05 mg/kg i.v. It also enabled stable hemodynamics with less adverse events.

Hemodynamic consequences of ketamine vs etomidate for endotracheal intubation in the air medical setting

OBJECTIVE

Recent drug shortages have required the occasional replacement of etomidate for endotracheal intubation (ETI) by helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), with ketamine. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there was an association between ketamine vs etomidate use as the main ETI drug, with hemodynamic or clinical (airway) end points.

METHODS

This retrospective study used data entered into medical records at the time of HEMS transport. Subjects, 50 ketamine and 50 etomidate, were accrued from 3 US HEMS programs. The study period was from August 2011 through May 2012. Data collection included demographics, diagnostic category, ETI drugs use, ETI success, and complications. Hemodynamic parameters were assessed for up to 2 sets of vital signs before airway management and up to 5 sets of post-ETI vital signs. Significance was defined at the P < .05 level.

RESULTS

Patients on ketamine and etomidate were similar (P > .05) with respect to age, sex, scene/interfacility mission type, trauma vs nontrauma, neuromuscular blocking agent use, and rates of coadministration of fentanyl or midazolam. All patients had successful airway placement. Peri-ETI hypoxemia was seen in 10% of etomidate and 16% of ketamine cases (P = .55). The pre-ETI and post-ETI were similar between the ketamine and etomidate groups with respect to systolic blood pressure and heart rate at every vital signs assessment after ETI.

CONCLUSION

Initial assessment of ETI success and complication rates, as well as peri-ETI hemodynamic changes, suggests no concerning complications associated with large-scale replacement of etomidate with ketamine as the major airway management drug for HEMS.

Optimizing drug therapy in the surgical intensive care unit

This article provides a review of commonly prescribed medications in the surgical ICU, focusing on sedatives, antipsychotics, neuromuscular blocking agents, cardiovascular agents, anticoagulants, and antibiotics. A brief overview of pharmacology is followed by practical considerations to aid prescribers in selecting the best therapy within a given category of drugs to optimize patient outcomes.

Recent Publications on Medications and Pharmacy

Hospital Pharmacy presents this feature to keep pharmacists abreast of new publications in the medical/pharmacy literature. Articles of interest regarding a broad scope of topics are abstracted monthly.