Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
Published on: September 24, 2020
Is ketamine a lifesaving agent in childhood acute severe asthma?
Mohamed A Hendaus1, Fatima A Jomha2, Ahmed H Alhammadi1
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Clinical Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar.
Insights
Ketamine may be a viable option for children with severe asthma exacerbations unresponsive to standard treatments. While evidence is conflicting, its safety profile suggests potential benefits in pediatric asthma emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute severe asthma exacerbations pose a significant risk of respiratory failure in children.
- Conventional treatments may be insufficient for severe cases requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing evidence on ketamine's efficacy and safety for childhood asthma exacerbations.
- To assess ketamine as a potential therapeutic option for severe pediatric asthma.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases.
- Inclusion of studies on ketamine use in childhood asthma exacerbations published in English and Spanish (1918-June 2015).
- Review of titles and references to identify relevant articles.
Main Results:
- The literature presents conflicting findings regarding ketamine's effectiveness in pediatric severe asthma.
- Despite mixed results, ketamine demonstrates a relatively favorable safety profile.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine may be a reasonable alternative for managing acute severe asthma in children who do not respond to conventional therapies.
- Clinicians should be aware of ketamine's unique pharmacological actions and potential side effects when used in pediatric asthma emergencies.
Abstract:
Children with acute severe asthma exacerbation are at risk of developing respiratory failure. Moreover, conventional aggressive management might be futile in acute severe asthma requiring intubation and invasive ventilation. The aim of this review is to detail evidence on the use of ketamine in childhood asthma exacerbations. A search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed, using different combinations of the following terms: ketamine, asthma, use, exacerbation, and childhood. In addition, we searched the references of the identified articles for additional articles. We then reviewed titles and included studies that were relevant to the topic of interest. Finally, the search was limited to studies published in English and Spanish from 1918 to June 2015. Due to the scarcity in the literature, we included all published articles. The literature reports conflicting results of ketamine use for acute severe asthma in children. Taking into consideration the relatively good safety profile of the drug, ketamine might be a reasonable option in the management of acute severe asthma in children who fail to respond to standard therapy. Furthermore, pediatricians and pediatric emergency clinicians administering ketamine should be knowledgeable about the unique actions of this drug and its potential side effects.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
01:25Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
01:30Adrenergic Agonists: Therapeutic Uses
Emergency and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) applications: Pressor agents increase blood pressure, heart rate, and contractility in shock and organ failure situations. Dopamine can induce vasodilation and stimulate adrenoceptors. Endogenous catecholamines are effective in treating cardiogenic shock. α2-agonists like clonidine can reverse anesthesia-induced hypertension.
Allergies and...
01:20Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
01:31Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses
01:18Drug Delivery: Enteral Route