Park G R, Manara A R, Mendel L, Bateman P E
Intensive Care Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge.
Anaesthesia. 1987 Sep;42(9):980-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1987.tb05370.x.
A patient with acute lymphatic leukaemia developed a bilateral fulminating Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia and required controlled ventilation of the lungs. Marked agitation, hypotension and bronchospasm unresponsive to conventional bronchodilators presented a therapeutic challenge. A continuous intravenous infusion of midazolam failed to provide adequate sedation. A continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine resulted in better sedation, an increase in arterial pressure and a diminution of bronchospasm. The clinical improvement was maintained for the 5 days during which ketamine was infused. Plasma concentrations of ketamine and its metabolites are reported.
