Fixed dose ketamine for prehospital management of hyperactive delirium with severe agitation.
The American journal of emergency medicine July 1, 2024 Michael C O'Brien, Kyle J Kelleran, Susan J Burnett et al. 6 citations
A fixed 250 mg dose of ketamine effectively sedated 80% of patients with hyperactive delirium and severe agitation in a prehospital setting, with only 20% requiring a second dose. Among 60 cases, no patient was intubated by emergency medical services; three needed bag-valve-mask support and were later intubated in the emergency department, along with three others who received additional sedation. All six intubated patients survived hospitalization with good neurological outcomes. Weight-based dosing equivalents were not associated with intubation risk. Four patients had adverse events likely related to ketamine, but all 60 patients were discharged alive.