Optimal dosing of intravenous ketamine for procedural sedation in children in the ED—a randomized controlled trial

Objective The objective of the study is to compare need for redosing, sedation efficacy, duration, and adverse events between 3 commonly administered doses of parenteral ketamine in the emergency department (ED). Methods We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial on a convenience sample of children 3 to 18 years who received intravenous ketamine for procedural sedation. Children from each age group (3-6, 7-12, and 13-18 years) were assigned in equal numbers to 3 dosing groups (1, 1.5, and 2 mg/kg) using random permuted blocks. The primary outcome measure was need for ketamine redosing to ensure adequate sedation. Secondary outcome measures were sedation efficacy, sedation duration, and sedation-related adverse events. Results A total of 171 children were enrolled of whom 125 (1 mg/kg, 50; 1.5 mg/kg, 35; 2 mg/kg, 40) received the randomized dose and were analyzed. The need for ketamine redosing was higher in the 1 mg/kg group (8/50; 16.0% vs 1/35; 2.9% vs 2/40; 5.0%). There was no significant difference in the median Ramsay sedation scores (5.5 [interquartile range {IQR}, 4-6] vs 6 [IQR, 4-6] vs 6 [IQR, 5-6]), FACES-R score (0 [IQR, 0-4] vs 0 [IQR, 0-0] vs 0 [IQR, 0-0]), sedation duration in minutes (23 [IQR, 19-38] vs 24.5 [IQR, 17.5-34.5] vs 23 [IQR, 19-29]), and adverse events (10.0% vs 14.3% vs 10.0%) between the 3 dosing groups. Physician satisfaction was lower in the 1 mg/kg group (79.6% vs 94.1% vs 97.3%). Conclusions Adequate sedation was achieved with all 3 doses of ketamine. Higher doses did not increase the risk of adverse events or prolong sedation. Ketamine administered at 1.5 or 2.0 mg/kg intravenous required less redosing and resulted in greater physician satisfaction.