Effect of Ketamine (Ketalar) on Intracranial Pressure
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2007-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Objectives: Ketamine is an effective, short-acting anesthetic drug, which does not decrease
blood pressure. It is widely stated that Ketamine increases intracranial pressure (ICP),
which prevents its use in many emergency situations, specifically in patients with traumatic
brain injury (TBI) and with increased ICP. Based on previous clinical experience, we
hypothesized that Ketamine decreases - rather than increases - ICP.
Methods: Prospective, controlled, clinical trial. Children with ICP monitoring will receive a
single Ketamine dose (1-1.5 mg/kg) either for increased ICP and/or before a potentially
distressing activity. Hemodynamic variables, ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) will
be recorded 1 minute before and every minute for 10 minutes following Ketamine administration
(Before/after design).