Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine An Effective.8
Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine An Effective.8
Objectives: Although generally effective for sedation during tachycardia, hypertension, salivation, and emergence phenomena
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noninvasive procedures, dexmedetomidine as the sole agent from ketamine, whereas ketamine may prevent the bradycardia
has not been uniformly successful for invasive procedures. To and hypotension, which has been reported with dexmedetomidine.
overcome some of the pitfalls with dexmedetomidine as the sole An additional benefit is that the addition of ketamine to initiate the
agent, there are an increasing number of reports regarding its sedation process speeds the onset of sedation, thereby eliminat-
combination with ketamine. This article provides a descriptive ing the slow onset time when dexmedetomidine is the sole agent.
account of the reports from the literature regarding the use of a Although various regimens have been reported in the literature,
combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for procedural the most effective regimen appears to be the use of a bolus dose of
sedation. both agents, dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) and ketamine (1–2 mg/
Data Source: A computerized bibliographic search of the lit- kg), to initiate sedation. This can then be followed by a dexmedeto-
erature regarding dexmedetomidine and ketamine for procedural midine infusion (1–2 μg/kg/hr) with supplemental bolus doses of
sedation. ketamine (0.5–1 mg/kg) as needed.
Measurements and Main Results: The literature contains four Conclusions: The available literature except for one trial is favor-
reports with cohorts of more than ten patients with a total of 122 able regarding the utility of a combination of ketamine and dexme-
patients. Two of these studies were prospective randomized tri- detomidine for procedural sedation. Future studies with direct com-
als. Additionally, there are eight single case reports or small parisons to other regimens appear warranted for both invasive and
case series (six patients or less) with an additional 21 pediatric noninvasive procedures. (Pediatr Crit Care Med 2012; 13:423–427)
patients. When used together, dexmedetomidine may prevent the Key Words: dexmedetomidine; ketamine; procedural sedation
Tosun et al (16) Prospective randomized trial comparing dexmedetomidine– Sedation managed effectively with both regimens. Patients
ketamine with propofol–ketamine sedation in 44 sedated with ketamine–dexmedetomidine required more
pediatric patients during cardiac catheterization ketamine (2.03 ± 1.33 vs. 1.25 ± 0.67 mg/kg/hr;
p < .01), more frequently required supplemental doses
of ketamine (10 of 22 patients vs. 4 of 22 patients), and
had a longer recovery time (median time of 45 vs. 20
mins; p = .01).
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Koruk et al (17) Prospective randomized trial comparing dexmedetomidine– Sedation was equally effective in both groups. Times for
ketamine with midazolam-ketamine in 50 pediatric eye-opening, verbal response, and cooperation were
patients for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy decreased in the dexmedetomidine–ketamine group.
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optimal agent for painful procedures. administered. Although limited in superior. Patients sedated with dexme-
Jalowiecki et al (10) reported that dex- number when compared to reports us- detomidine–ketamine required more ket-
medetomidine was ineffective during ing only dexmedetomidine, there have amine (2.03 ± 1.33 vs. 1.25 ± 0.67 mg/kg/
colonoscopy in adults and was associ- been several reports in the literature hr; p < .01) and more frequently required
ated with a high incidence of adverse regarding the use of a dexmedetomi- supplemental doses of ketamine (10/22
effects, including a prolonged delay in dine–ketamine combination for proce- patients vs. 4/22 patients). Additionally,
discharge times. The authors closed the dural sedation in the pediatric population the recovery time was longer with dex-
study before completion (12). Similar (Table 1) (16–19). Two of these reports medetomidine and ketamine (median
issues were encountered when compar- have been prospective randomized trials time, 45 vs. 20 mins; p = .01). No clini-
ing dexmedetomidine with midazolam with a comparison to another sedation cally significant differences in the hemo-
for monitored anesthesia care in adults regimen (16, 17). Tosun et al (16) com- dynamic or respiratory status were noted
during cataract surgery (13). pared a procedural sedation regimen that between the two groups.
In specific clinical scenarios, the included dexmedetomidine and ketamine Koruk et al (17) prospectively com-
response to failures with usual doses (1–2 with one that combined propofol and pared sedation using dexmedetomidine
μg/kg) has been to switch to or to add al- ketamine. The study cohort included 44 and ketamine to a regimen using mid-
ternative agents or to increase the dose children, ranging in age from 4 months azolam and ketamine during extracor-
of dexmedetomidine (14, 15). However, to 16 yrs, with acyanotic congenital heart poreal shock wave lithotripsy in a cohort
when such dose escalations are attempt- disease undergoing cardiac catheteriza- of 50 pediatric patients who ranged in
ed, a higher incidence of hemodynamic tion. Ketamine (1 mg/kg) and dexmedeto- age from 2 to 15 yrs. Patients received
effects such as bradycardia and hypoten- midine (1 μg/kg) were administered over either a bolus dose of dexmedetomidine
sion has been noted. Given these issues, 10 mins, followed by infusions of dexme- (1 μg/kg over 10 mins) and ketamine
the addition of a second agent to dexme- detomidine at 0.7 μg/kg/hr and ketamine (1 mg/kg) or a bolus dose of midazolam
detomidine rather than dose escalations at 1 mg/kg/hr. In the other arm of the (0.05 mg/kg) and ketamine (1 mg/kg).
may be the preferred option. study, propofol (1 mg/kg) and ketamine Patients were then observed by an anes-
Procedural Sedation With Dexmedeto- (1 mg/kg) were administered as the load- thesiologist who was blinded to which
midine and Ketamine. Issues of concern ing dose, followed by a propofol infusion medications they had received. Sedation
when considering dexmedetomidine as at 100 μg/kg/hr and ketamine at 1 mg/kg/ was equally effective in both groups with-
an agent for procedural sedation include hr. In both arms of the study, supplemen- out clinically significant changes in the
a long onset time, limited analgesic ef- tal bolus doses of ketamine (1 mg/kg) hemodynamic and respiratory param-
fect, and the potential for hemodynamic were available as needed. Although seda- eters. Although there was no difference
effects, including bradycardia and hypo- tion was effective with both regimens, in the time to achieve an Aldrete score
tension, especially when larger doses are the propofol–ketamine combination was of 8, the times for eye opening, verbal
Author Type of Study and Cohort Size Dosing Regimen for Dexmedetomidine and Ketamine Outcomes
Bozdogan et al (21) Sedation during caudal anesthesia Bolus dose of ketamine (1 mg/kg) dexmedetomidine. Caudal epidural block was achieved and
in three high-risk infants (ages The bolus dose of both agents was repeated to surgical procedure was completed
5, 6, and 10 mos) with a history achieve a Ramsay sedation scale score of 4. This was without difficulty. No clinically
of ongoing or recent acute viral followed by a dexmedetomidine infusion at 0.7–1 significant change in hemodynamic or
upper respiratory infections and μg/kg/hr, titrated to maintain a Ramsay sedation respiratory status was noted
congenital heart disease scale score of 4 during the surgery
Barton et al (22) Procedural sedation in six infants Dexmedetomidine was administered at an average Effective sedation was achieved and the
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(age 3 d to 29 mos) with dose of 1.5 μg/kg (range, 1–3 μg/kg). Three of the procedure was completed without
congenital heart disease 6 patients (50%) required bolus doses of ketamine incident. No clinically significant
(0.3–0.5 mg/kg) because of movement during the change in hemodynamic or respiratory
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response, and cooperation were dec- Two other large case series provide us sedation during cardiac catheterization in
reased in the dexmedetomidine–ketamine with retrospective information regarding 16 children with congenital heart disease,
group. Additionally, the incidence of nau- the combination of dexmedetomidine and ranging in age from 16 months to 15 yrs
sea and vomiting was significantly lower ketamine for procedural sedation without old. A bolus dose of ketamine (2 mg/kg)
with dexmedetomidine–ketamine com- a comparative group (18, 19). Mester et al and dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) mixed
pared with midazolam–ketamine (4.7% (18) retrospectively reviewed the use of in a single syringe was administered over
vs. 32%). dexmedetomidine and ketamine for 3 mins, followed by a continuous infusion
cannulae in the middle of the procedure. required while maintaining spontaneous comparisons of dexmedetomidine as the
In two patients, the dexmedetomidine respiration (Table 2) (21–28). Several of sole agent for sedation vs. a dexmedeto-
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infusion was decreased from 2 to 1 μg/ these reports have included patients with midine–ketamine combination, this may
kg/hr at 12–15 mins instead of 30 mins significant comorbid conditions, includ- be one venue. If the dexmedetomidine–
because of a decrease in heart rate. Two ing pulmonary hypertension, upper air- ketamine combination is superior, then
patients had development of upper airway way obstruction with sleep apnea, tracheal direct comparisons to other commonly
obstruction that responded to reposition- compression from a mediastinal mass, used regimens (propofol) appear war-
ing of the airway. No central apnea was congenital heart disease, as well as com- ranted for both invasive and noninvasive
noted. Although the Paco2 was ≥45 mm promised cardiac and respiratory func- procedures. Given the increased cost of
Hg in seven patients, the maximum value tion. These reports, which have included a dexmedetomidine regimen, whenever
was 48 mm Hg. a total of 21 pediatric patients, demon- such studies are performed, attention to
More recently, McVey and Tobias (19) strate that a dexmedetomidine–ketamine the cost-benefits ratio including man-
described their experience using these combination effectively achieves the de- power issues of recovery times should be
agents during lumbar puncture for spi- sired level of sedation while minimizing included.
nal anesthesia in 12 pediatric patients. the potential for adverse effects.
The dosing regimen was the same as REFERENCES
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