Prolonged sedation and airway complications after administration of an inadvertent ketamine overdose in emergency department

Eur J Emerg Med. 2008 Apr;15(2):92-4. doi: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e3280b17ecb.

Abstract

The use of ketamine for pediatric sedation in the Emergency Department for painful procedures has become increasingly popular. Ketamine is a safe and effective sedative for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in the Emergency Department. Sedation with this dissociative agent produces a rapid onset action, potent analgesia, adequate sedation, amnesia and minimal side effects. We report a case of prolonged sedation and airway complications after administration of an inadvertent intramuscular ketamine overdose in a healthy child.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / chemically induced*
  • Anesthetics, Dissociative / administration & dosage
  • Anesthetics, Dissociative / poisoning*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Drug Overdose
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intramuscular
  • Ketamine / administration & dosage
  • Ketamine / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Medication Errors*
  • Unconsciousness / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Dissociative
  • Ketamine