Korean J Crit Care Med.  2000 Nov;15(2):108-112.

Continuous Infusion of Ketamine in Mechanically Ventilated Patient in Septic Shock with Status Asthmaticus

• Koo BN
• Koh SO
• Park SY
• Shim JK
• Chon SS

Abstract

Ketamine is well known for its analgesic, bronchodilating and sympathetic stimulating effect. Hence, it has been widely used for induction of patients with hypotension or asthma and also for analgesic and sedating purposes in the ICU. We presented a 62 year old female patient with ventilator support in septic shock with refractory asthma whom we managed successfully with continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine postoperatively in the ICU. The patient had a history of asthma but had been asymptomatic recently and was scheduled for an emergent explo-laparotomy under the diagnosis of acute panperitonitis. Before the induction of anesthesia, the patient was in septic shock but no wheezing could be auscultated. After the induction of general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation, wheezing was apparent in both lung fields with a high peak inspiratory pressure. Inotropics, vasopressors and bronchodilators were promptly instituted without any improvement of asthma and the patient had to be transferred to the ICU with intubated after the operation. Clinical symptoms of asthma continued throughout the first day despite using bronchodilators under mechanical ventilation but, after starting the IV infusion of ketamine, there were decrease in the peak inspiratory pressure and wheezing with a subsequent improvement in the arterial blood gas analysis findings. We could also achieve considerable analgesic and sedating effect without any decrease in the blood pressure. The patient's general physical status improved and weaning with extubation was successfully done on the 21st day and was transferred to the general ward on the 28th day.

Keyword

Anesthetics; intravenous; ketamine; Intensive care; sedation; Lung; asthma; Ventilator support; Septic shock

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General
Anesthetics
Asthma
Blood Gas Analysis
Blood Pressure
Bronchodilator Agents
Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Hypotension
Infusions, Intravenous
Critical Care
Intubation, Intratracheal
Ketamine*
Lung
Middle Aged
Patients' Rooms
Respiration, Artificial
Respiratory Sounds
Shock, Septic*
Status Asthmaticus*
Ventilators, Mechanical
Weaning
Anesthetics
Bronchodilator Agents
Ketamine