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Ketamine is commonly used for procedural sedation in children, but its use in adults has not been well studied. Researchers in England conducted a prospective, observational study of adult patients who received intravenous ketamine for procedural sedation at a single emergency department during a 2-year period. Patients with contraindications to ketamine, such as ischemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, and previous psychotic illness, were excluded. Patients received an initial ketamine dose of 0.5 mg/kg, and the dose was repeated if sedation was inadequate after 5 minutes.
Adequate sedation was achieved in 91 of 92 patients and was achieved after one dose in 46 patients. The procedure was successfully completed in 98% of patients. …