Readdressing rapid sequence induction and intubation using ketamine or etomidate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Medicine May 9, 2025 Lucas Bittar de Morais, Guilherme Requião Radel-Neto, Victor Alexandre Dos Santos Valsecchi et al. 5 citations
Ketamine and etomidate are similarly effective for rapid sequence intubation in critically ill patients, with no significant difference in all-cause mortality or rates of post-intubation arterial hypotension and vasoactive drug use. However, ketamine is associated with a lower risk of adrenal insufficiency, suggesting it may be preferable for patients at high risk of adrenal suppression. These findings come from a systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 randomized clinical trials involving 2862 patients.