Therapeutic Applications of Ketamine in Emergency Medicine: Systematic Review
Suraj Gyawali, Rajeeb Raj Thapaliya, Olita Shilpakar, Shreeram Shrestha, Prasanna Rajbhandari, Prajjwal Malla, Bikash Shrestha, Shreeya Pathak
Grande Medical Journal December 22, 2025 DOI: 10.3126/gmj.v5i2.87591 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractKetamine is a dissociative anesthetic that preserves airway reflexes and cardiovascular stability, making it useful in emergency medicine. A systematic review of 18 articles from 2000 to 2024 found that sub-dissociative doses provide effective analgesia with opioid-sparing effects, procedural sedation in children has high success rates, and ketamine offers hemodynamic stability during rapid sequence intubation. It is effective in refractory asthma and acute agitation, often avoiding intubation. Its affordability and stability make it valuable in resource-limited settings. Ketamine remains a versatile and evidence-based option in emergency care.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Studies evaluating ketamine use in emergency settings |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Anesthetic agent Emergency department Airway management Intensive care medicine |
| Key finding | Ketamine is effective for analgesia, procedural sedation, hemodynamic stability during intubation, and managing refractory asthma and acute agitation in emergency care. |
Abstract
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic widely used in emergency medicine due to its preservation of airway reflexes and cardiovascular stability. A systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2024 identified 18 relevant articles evaluating ketamine use in emergency settings. Sub-dissociative doses provide effective analgesia with opioid-sparing effects, while procedural sedation, especially in children, shows high success rates. Ketamine offers hemodynamic stability during rapid sequence intubation and is effective in refractory asthma and acute agitation, often avoiding intubation. Its affordability and stability make it valuable in resource-limited settings. Ketamine remains a versatile and evidence-based option in emergency care.