Role of ketamine in refractory status asthmaticus: A case report

Abstract

Patients experiencing severe asthma exacerbations occasionally deteriorate to respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Mechanical ventilation in this setting exposes the patients to substantial iatrogenic risk and should be avoided if at all possible. This case suggests that intravenous ketamine given in a dissociative dose may be an effective measure to avoid mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients with severe asthma exacerbations.